Dictionary entry: témoin
Hello,
Thank you for your message. I'm actually going to pass this to English to French, as I'm not sure témoin should be the translation for groomsman.
@DearPrudence, what do you think? At UK weddings, the witnesses fulfil a legal function, I assume it's the same for témoins in France. They are the people who sign the register to say they have legally witnessed the wedding. It's possible that a groomsman might be a witness too, but equally possible that he might not. It's basically the male equivalent of a bridesmaid. He's there to help the groom get organised, make sure everything runs smoothly.
Thank you for your message. I'm actually going to pass this to English to French, as I'm not sure témoin should be the translation for groomsman.
@DearPrudence, what do you think? At UK weddings, the witnesses fulfil a legal function, I assume it's the same for témoins in France. They are the people who sign the register to say they have legally witnessed the wedding. It's possible that a groomsman might be a witness too, but equally possible that he might not. It's basically the male equivalent of a bridesmaid. He's there to help the groom get organised, make sure everything runs smoothly.
Ah, weddings...
I think the problem is that French weddings differ from American weddings.
To me, "demoiselles d'honneur" and "garçons d'honneur" are not adults, but children. But maybe I'm wrong? @Lacuzon
As mentioned in some French sites, "garçons d'honneur" are not yet very common in France:
Témoins, filles et garçons d'honneur : rappel !
I am not sure a French person who's not familiar with American series would quite understand what a "garçon d'honneur" is and how important he is, while "témoin" seemed like a close equivalent.
Now I realize that a groomsman might not be that important and might not deserve the status of "témoin".
I guess I'll change the translation to "garçon d'honneur" and add a note.
I think the problem is that French weddings differ from American weddings.
To me, "demoiselles d'honneur" and "garçons d'honneur" are not adults, but children. But maybe I'm wrong? @Lacuzon
As mentioned in some French sites, "garçons d'honneur" are not yet very common in France:
Témoins, filles et garçons d'honneur : rappel !
Le rôle des témoins, enfants et demoiselles d'honneur - Causons Mariage
I am not sure a French person who's not familiar with American series would quite understand what a "garçon d'honneur" is and how important he is, while "témoin" seemed like a close equivalent.
Now I realize that a groomsman might not be that important and might not deserve the status of "témoin".
I guess I'll change the translation to "garçon d'honneur" and add a note.