This distinction began as a difference between plural and singular. ‘Tu’ is used as ‘singular you’. ‘Vous’ is used as both ‘singular you’ (in certain occasions) and ‘plural you’. IV century: the use of plural vous was to address the emperor. There were two emperors: one in Constantinople and another in Rome, but the Empire was administratively unified...
SOLIDARITY AND POLITENESS Group members: Hoàn Mỹ - Tường Vy – Phương Quyên TU and VOUS • • • This distinction began as a difference between plural and singular ‘Tu’ is used as ‘singular you’ ‘Vous’ is used as both ‘singular you’ (in certain occasions) and ‘plural you’ • • IV century: the use of plural vous was to address the emperor There were two emperors: one in Constantinople and another in Rome, but the Empire was administratively unified By addressing one, you were in fact addressing both emperors As a consequence, the medieval upper classes began to use V-forms among them to show mutual respect and politeness ‘Tu’ should be used between: - Spouses - Close friends - Family member - Close relatives - Young people living or working closely together ‘Tu’ shows the closeness, informality and solidarity Ex: Claire, tu es ma meilleure amie (Claire, you are my best friend.) Ex: Papa, est-ce que tu peux m’aider (Dad, can you help me?) • ‘Vous’ should be used between: - Strangers - Older person - Authority figure - Those who have no ties any kind - Anyone to whom you wish to respect ‘Vous’ shows respect, maintain a distance or formality with someone Ex: Monsieur, pourriez-vous me dire où se trouve la gare? (Sir, could you tell me where the train station is?) Ex: Madame, voici le rapport que vous avez demandé (Madam, here is the report you asked for.) TU and VOUS • “Vous” is also the “plural you” • “Vous” is used when talking to more than person, no matter how formal or informal you need to be TU and VOUS • In some situation, if you’re not sure whether to use “tu” or “vous”, it’s safer to start by using “vous” TU and VOUS • Mutual T for solidarity gradually replaced mutual V for politeness • Use of asymmetrical T/V decreased and mutual V was often used in its place • But…once a pair of speakers decide on mutual T, it is impossible to go back to either T/V or V/V usage ADDRESS TERMS How you address or name people? By title (T)? By first name (FN)? By last name (LN)? By nickname? By some combination of these? ADDRESS TERMS • • • Asymmetric use of title, last name and first name(TLN/FN) indicated inequality in power Mutual title, last name (TLN) indicated inequality and unfamiliarity Mutual first name (FN) indicated equality and familiarity ADDRESS TERMS • The switch from mutual TLN to FN is usually initiated by the most powerful member in the relationship • Address somebody by title is the least intimate form of address in that titles usually designates ranks or occupations • Using another’s first name is a sign of considerable intimacy ADDRESS TERMS The Address Process Is Symmetrical Or Asymmetrical? • • Asymmetric use of names and address terms is often a clear indictor of a power differential Examples: + Children and teachers + In the past, white people addressing black people + People addressing the Queen or the President ADDRESS TERMS In each country there are different rules stating how people should address each other Example: In England, we can omit the address term when greeting someone In France, that avoidance could be impolite Bonjour Bonjour, Monsieur ADDRESS TERMS As your family relationships change, issues of naming and addressing may arise Example: How you address your father/mother in law? People sometimes give names to, and address Example: non – human as well as humans How you address your pets, if you have? Sumarize • The term of address indicates any lingustic form used by speakers to refer to the person they are talking to • • The conditions for choosing address term change socially Asymmetric use of names and address terms is often a clear indictor of a power differential POLITENESS • POLITENESS is socially prescribed, we adjust to others in social relationships in ways society deems appropriate • IMPOLITENESS depends on the existence of standards There are kinds of Politeness: Positive • We try to achieve solidarity and treat others as friends We not impose and never threaten their face • Example: symmetrical pronominal use Negative • • It leads to deference, indirectness and formality in language use Example: Asymmetric T/V use POLITENESS • Goffman (1955) states that when communicating “we present a FACE to others and to others’ faces.” • In every social interaction we are obliged to protect both our own face and the face of others • We play out a kind of ritual in which each party is required to recognize the identity the other presents or claims • There is no faceless communication POLITENESS • Brown and Levinson (1987) provide the definition of FACE “[it is] the public self-image that every member wants to claim for himself ” They make a distinction between: • POSITIVE FACE: it is the desire to gain the approval of others, the positive consistent self- image or personality It looks to SOLIDARITY • NEGATIVE FACE: it is the desire to be unimpeded by others’ actions; a claim for freedom of action and from imposition POLITENESS • Each interaction is a FACE WORK and the goal is the maintenance of as much of each individual’s positive face as possible • Pinker (2007) argues that “politeness theory is a good start, but not enough [because] it assumes that the speaker and the hearer are working in perfect harmony, each trying to save each other’s face”