1. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 1, 2008
    Messages:
    23,826
    Likes Received:
    20,815
    Location:
    El Tembloroso Caribe

    Language, thought and T-V distinction

    Discussion in 'The Lounge' started by Wreybies, Dec 15, 2013.

    T-V distinction has to do with languages that have a formal and an informal 2nd person pronoun. This article came up in one of my interpreter chat groups, the conversation having to with how one handles a client demanding use of formal pronouns when the situation clearly dictates otherwise. This is a common situation for medical and legal interpreters when the person for whom they are serving as interpreter is a child. In many languages that have T-V distinction, the rare time the formal is used with a child is when they are in trouble, similar to how some English speaking parents might address their child by their full and complete name to indicate a high degree of irritation with them.

    Anyway...

    The article itself delves into the idea of whether coming from a T-V language make you more or less aware of social and hierarchal intricacies than speakers of languages that have no T-V distinction.

    Language, thought and T-V distinction


    (Sorry for the atrocious state of the post as it was originally written. Back trouble + medication for back trouble = Impossible to follow post)
     
  2. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    To clarify, a T-V distinction is when a language has a polite and an informal second person form. The T and V are from Latin 'tu' and 'vos'. It has nothing to do with television.
     
    Andrae Smith likes this.
  3. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    thanks, cog... that helped!
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice