T–V distinction - Wikipedia
Also known as pronoun of courtesy in some languages. It is present in most European languages, that is a pronoun that replaces the you, to address yourself to strangers or to senior people or top-grade people (professors, teachers, boss, employers, etc etc).
Also in different European countries, this pronoun varies a lot.
In Spanish there is a pronoun ad hoc called usted (you singular) and ustedes (you plural); in French and in Russian they use the second person plural (Vous-Vy capitalized). In German they use the They (Sie capitalized) as pronoun of courtesy; in Italian the She (Lei capitalized).
Do you know non-European languages where the T-V distinction still exists?
I guess it is considered something outdated...that is why the English language doesn't have such distinction.
Thank you in advance for your opinion.
Also known as pronoun of courtesy in some languages. It is present in most European languages, that is a pronoun that replaces the you, to address yourself to strangers or to senior people or top-grade people (professors, teachers, boss, employers, etc etc).
Also in different European countries, this pronoun varies a lot.
In Spanish there is a pronoun ad hoc called usted (you singular) and ustedes (you plural); in French and in Russian they use the second person plural (Vous-Vy capitalized). In German they use the They (Sie capitalized) as pronoun of courtesy; in Italian the She (Lei capitalized).
Do you know non-European languages where the T-V distinction still exists?
I guess it is considered something outdated...that is why the English language doesn't have such distinction.
Thank you in advance for your opinion.