Question about the English Language

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sbagman

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Nov 17, 2000
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Just to get away from politics for a while...

Those familiar with languages such as Italian, French, and many others, will know that there is a formal conjugation of the verb which is supposed to be used when speaking to someone "higher" than you (how that is defined varies). In Italian, this means using the third person singluar. So in English, instead of saying "would you like a drink" you would say "would sir like a drink" (third person). I was talking to my German housemate the other night, and apparently German has even more formality. Apart from the regular formal conjugation, there is an even higher conjugation used when meeting royalty. Jokingly, I asked if royalty therefore had to use a different conjugation when speaking to themselves, and he replied "Yes... in first person plural".

None of this exists in English I thought. But when I think about it, I could imagine a servant saying "would sir like a drink?". So perhaps it does exist. And as for the royalty speaking (or referring) to themselves, didn't Queen Victoria say "WE are not amused", referring to herself?

So my question is, did this changing of conjugation ever exist in English, does it still technically exist, and why is it hardly ever used now?

Cheers,
Sbagman.

(Will post this on the General Talk board too).
 
I thought French changed verb conjugation from second person singular to second person plural? No?

Italian changes the verb tense.

(Tu) vuoi un caffè (do you want a coffee, informal)?
Lei vuole un caffè (do you want a coffee, formal)?

By the way Brett, I'm deliberately ignoring your Aussie-baiting.
 

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Originally posted by Brett Li
verb tense? not sure about that. "vous" can be used in the formal second person OR in the plural, yes..if that's what you mean?

Vous is singular or plural, but purely plural conjugations exists when the pronoun is nous (we) or ils/elles (They M/F)

for example

nous avons du café

or

Ils ont du café
 
Originally posted by Brett Li
nice one Jim. I think Mr Bagman is getting his jsut deserts....ask a silly question:D

I think we're drifting slightly from the point here, which is... is there (or was there) a formal form of speech in english in which you was replaced by the third person, or something else for that matter.
 
Re: Re: Question about the English Language

Originally posted by Brett Li
[Bor in german the verb changes

hast (verb) du.....? have you

haben (verb) sie......? have you

In English you are simply substituting pronouns when being polite.
[/B]

THIS is exactly what I am talking about. The conjugation of the verb changes when you are using the polite form.

Perhaps my question is nonsensical, as the difference in conjugation between third and second person is negligible.

I tried.
 
Originally posted by sbagman
I think we're drifting slightly from the point here, which is... is there (or was there) a formal form of speech in english in which you was replaced by the third person, or something else for that matter.

In English, I don't think so. This may have been because in very formal scenarios, such as speaking with royalty, you would be lucky if they spoke any form of English, languages such as French, seem to have been preferred.

English is a remarkably plain language, free from nuances such gender that you find in European languages or inotations (?) that are common in asian languages.
 

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Question about the English Language

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