meaning - "Guild" versus "association"


Is there any difference? Why would you say authors guild and not authors association?



Answer



Obviously "correct" usage is whatever [the group in question's] founders originally decided to call themselves (there are also Federations, Fellowships, Societies, Unions, etc.)


Guild has a somewhat archaic flavour, but a newly-formed group might choose it simply to imply a long and distinguished history. It also has stronger overtones of the members being [traditional] craftsmen with tradeable skills and/or products.


Association may imply a looser (often predominantly commercial) relationship between members.


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