Unit 4 Joaiti
The English term“toast”has been traced to the 17th century，and had reference at first to the custom of drinking to the ladies.In Stuart times，it was the practice to put a piece of toast in the wine cup from belief that it improved the flavor of the wine.Now it has evolved into the custom of delivering a few words in the presence of a group of people at a party just before drinking to the welfare of the person（s）being honored，or to the interest of everybody present at the party.
Toasts can be made when a dinner party is being held on almost any occasions like wedding ceremonies，gatherings of family members or friends，birthday parties，wedding anniversaries，retirement ball，inaugurating ball，state banquet，graduating ceremonies，opening ceremonies of all kinds，etc.Owing to the different occasions they are made，toasts can be used for different purposes.
Toasts can be delivered to celebrate the successes people have achieved in their business and studies.A toast can be given when a new member is recruited to an organization of celebrity，when a friend is elected into the board of directors，when a colleague is promoted，or when a new president is nominated.
At wedding ceremonies，toasts are addressed to the bride and groom for their happy union as a result of their love.They can also be addressed to the newly married couples to express the speakers'wishes about their happiness after their marriage.On wedding anniversaries，toasts are made to celebrate the endurance of love and friendship between the couples over the elapsing of time.At birthday parties，toasts are always made to celebrate people's maturity and long life.Expressions about future success and happiness are also to be embedded within birthday toasts.(https://www.daowen.com)
On occasions when people are retiring from their jobs，toasts can be given to celebrate their freedom in future.Words of praise can be given about their past contribution.Words of regrets or losses can be added in their honor to show their significance in their jobs.The same is true with toasts made at other farewell dinner parties.
At dinner parties given by a government to welcome visiting officials or heads of states from other countries，toasts are presented mainly for the purpose of promoting friendly relationships between countries.Dinner parties hosted by companies are usually a great occasion for the presidents of these companies to express their gratitude in their toasts for the contribution done by their employees.Expectations about future prosperity that will lead to joint success will always be emphasized in toasts made on such an occasion.
Whatever the occasions，toasts are drafted to guide people into a bright future by praising past achievements and belittling past losses.Personal welfares like health，achievements，love and friendship，happiness，are just what count most in toasts of any kind.