pronunciation: eh – pih – thah – LAY – mee- um
language: from Latin and Greek
definition: a poem or song honoring a bride and groom
sentence: The wedding guests became restless when what was supposed to be a short toast by the Best Man turned into a rather lengthy epithalamium.
source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epithalamium
pronunciation: suh – NOOK
language: Thai
definition: the feeling of enjoyment or pleasure experienced from work, play and other activities
sentence: In Western culture, we value accomplishment more than sanuk, but with our stress levels rising, it seems like seeking more pleasure in what we do would be healthy.
source: Ralph E. Dakin, Vocational Education in Thailand, p. 51
pronunciation: KOO – la
language: Kilivila from Trobriand Islands, Papua New Guinea
definition: Gift giving ritual where the value of the gift increases by re-giving
sentence: When I got caught regifting a Christmas present for a friend’s birthday, I tried to explain my rationale as kula, since it was something she would enjoy more than me.
source: MotherTongues iPad app
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