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Most European languages possess what linguists call "The T-V Distinction."
That is, they have a formal word for "you" and then a more informal - or offensively condescending - "you" as well.
German has "du" between friends, and "sie" if you're being more formal.
(Read on)
That is, they have a formal word for "you" and then a more informal - or offensively condescending - "you" as well.
German has "du" between friends, and "sie" if you're being more formal.
(Read on)
French has "vous" (formal) and "tu".
If a person in a position of power, who should be spoken to with a "vous" (French) or a "sie" (German), uses an informal "tu" or "du" with a person of inferior rank, they are being deliberately offensive by being overfamiliar.
If a person in a position of power, who should be spoken to with a "vous" (French) or a "sie" (German), uses an informal "tu" or "du" with a person of inferior rank, they are being deliberately offensive by being overfamiliar.
It's akin to a policeman saying "Well, well, well. What have we here, my lovely?" when they're trying to intimidate you.
Now, English doesn't have these two forms of "you" - but we used to.
In my plays, "you" is formal, but "thou" is used for intimates, and to be offensive.
Now, English doesn't have these two forms of "you" - but we used to.
In my plays, "you" is formal, but "thou" is used for intimates, and to be offensive.
Consider the opening passage of Julius Caesar, where this high-ranking tribune is addressing common folk:
MARULLUS
But what trade art thou? answer me directly... What trade, thou knave? thou naughty knave, what trade?
He is addressing a working-class cobbler. Note the "thou".
MARULLUS
But what trade art thou? answer me directly... What trade, thou knave? thou naughty knave, what trade?
He is addressing a working-class cobbler. Note the "thou".
And this wonderful line from that hymn to love, Romeo and Juliet:
My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.
Had she written "you" instead of "thee", it would have seemed absurd.
My bounty is as boundless as the sea,
My love as deep; the more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.
Had she written "you" instead of "thee", it would have seemed absurd.
And the famous opening lines from the sonnet:
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate..."
So, there you go. T-V Distinction. Now you know.
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate..."
So, there you go. T-V Distinction. Now you know.
