#4324554 - 12/30/16 11:59 AM
Terms of formal address (languages)
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,468
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
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Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,468
Miami, FL USA
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Quick question here for those of you who speak a language that have a word for formally addressing someone. For example the Spanish "usted" and the German "Sie". Is this still largely enforced at the societal level or has it been relaxed somewhat in the recent decades? I'm just curious to know so I don't commit any embarassing gaffes whenever I finally visit Europe. Of course English used to have a formal term of address (Thou) but it went extinct a long time ago.
Last edited by PanzerMeyer; 12/30/16 12:00 PM.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
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#4324563 - 12/30/16 12:27 PM
Re: Terms of formal address (languages)
[Re: PanzerMeyer]
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 723
jens198
Member
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Member
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Nuremberg, Germany
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Well, I would say, that in Germany, the official "Sie" is still very common to adress someone that you don't know and who is older than you/higher in hierarchy/ is someone official (e.g. police officer).
On the other hand, there are more and more parts of the society and every day life that get rid of such old customs. For example, I work at a large software company and our department got a new (young) head of department. First thing she does is to drop the official "sie" in the whole department.
My advice: Keep to the official "Sie" and you won't do any harm. Situations can be much more awkward when you say "Du" to someone and it's not appropriate than vice versa.
Jens
"It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue."
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#4324570 - 12/30/16 12:51 PM
Re: Terms of formal address (languages)
[Re: PanzerMeyer]
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,527
WileECoyote
Member
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Member
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Argentina
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Spanish is spoken in many different places and cultures, so it varies, but at least in Argentina yes, it's still used... in an relaxed, dare I say Argentine, way. You use the informal for the most part except an older unknown person. Other than that it's more the setting than the person, like schools will go all formal after certain age (but again, some teachers won't) or the army or politicians stuff like that. The common folk will usually use informal... you can still use formal words but talk in an informal way, too. That is, you say the words but you're not really addressing the person in a formal way. "Excuse me mister, do you have light?" followed by "Thanks, buddy". But for the most part you speak informally. But you won't have to deal with Argentinians in your trip on Europe, you should consider your self lucky.
When you're feeling sad, just remember that somewhere in the world, there's someone pushing a door that says "pull".
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#4324571 - 12/30/16 12:56 PM
Re: Terms of formal address (languages)
[Re: WileECoyote]
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,468
PanzerMeyer
Pro-Consul of Florida
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Pro-Consul of Florida
King Crimson - SimHQ's Top Poster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 121,468
Miami, FL USA
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Spanish is spoken in many different places and cultures, so it varies, but at least in Argentina yes, it's still used... in an relaxed, dare I say Argentine, way. You use the informal for the most part except an older unknown person. Other than that it's more the setting than the person, like schools will go all formal after certain age (but again, some teachers won't) or the army or politicians stuff like that. The common folk will usually use informal... you can still use formal words but talk in an informal way, too. That is, you say the words but you're not really addressing the person in a formal way. "Excuse me mister, do you have light?" followed by "Thanks, buddy". But for the most part you speak informally. But you won't have to deal with Argentinians in your trip on Europe, you should consider your self lucky. Heh, in Miami the Spanish speakers never use "usted" unless they're at some really fancy 5 star restaurant or some high level executive business meeting.
“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.”
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#4324583 - 12/30/16 01:46 PM
Re: Terms of formal address (languages)
[Re: PanzerMeyer]
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,355
Johan217
Member
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Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,355
Gent, Belgium
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In Dutch and French, you normally use the polite form "u" (Dutch) or "vous" (French) for somebody you haven't met before.
Undercarriage lever a bit sticky was it, Sir?
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#4324617 - 12/30/16 03:52 PM
Re: Terms of formal address (languages)
[Re: PanzerMeyer]
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,465
Bib4Tuna
I will take you to Jabba
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I will take you to Jabba
Senior Member
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Posts: 4,465
NC, USA
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Spanish is spoken in many different places and cultures, so it varies, but at least in Argentina yes, it's still used... in an relaxed, dare I say Argentine, way. You use the informal for the most part except an older unknown person. Other than that it's more the setting than the person, like schools will go all formal after certain age (but again, some teachers won't) or the army or politicians stuff like that. The common folk will usually use informal... you can still use formal words but talk in an informal way, too. That is, you say the words but you're not really addressing the person in a formal way. "Excuse me mister, do you have light?" followed by "Thanks, buddy". But for the most part you speak informally. But you won't have to deal with Argentinians in your trip on Europe, you should consider your self lucky. Heh, in Miami the Spanish speakers never use "usted" unless they're at some really fancy 5 star restaurant or some high level executive business meeting. The very opposite of Costa Rican custom. When I lived there, most people, even co-worker friends - and even relatives, will use the formal way to address you. Only really close friends and your close family will address you as "t", which will be seen as very rude otherwise, especially talking to a lady you have not been introduced to yet. If you refer to an unknown male as "t", you may even get a rude reply as in "...remind me when was the last time you and I slept together?" - depends on the situation, but usually they will look at you sternly and ask "do I know you?"
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#4324621 - 12/30/16 04:07 PM
Re: Terms of formal address (languages)
[Re: PanzerMeyer]
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,882
Meatsheild
Arma3 guy!
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Arma3 guy!
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Peoples Republic of Yorkshire
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I guess in English today "Mr." and "Ms." are effectively the closest things there are to a formal address.
the ones used in "polite" (aka posh non everyday gatherings) or official business in England Master = under 16/18 males Mr = any adult male Mrs = any married female Miss = Unmarried females/underage females Sir/Madam/Dame = only used if you have them as an official title If you do come over this side of the pond, just a quick "'scuse me, hi" will work 99% of the time! Unless you want to thoroughly confuse people by going up to them and saying "Excuse me Sir/Madam/Miss"
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#4324624 - 12/30/16 04:29 PM
Re: Terms of formal address (languages)
[Re: PanzerMeyer]
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,271
Sluggish Controls
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Member
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Hong Kong
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"Nin" is the formal way of addressing someone in Mandarin. 2nd tone, moderate rise please.
When addressing someone you do not know, who is older than you or, in some cases, of higher hierarchy.
Cheers, Slug
"Major Burns isn't saying much of anything, Sir. I think he's formulating the answer..." - Radar - M*A*S*H
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#4324648 - 12/30/16 05:15 PM
Re: Terms of formal address (languages)
[Re: PanzerMeyer]
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 19,581
Raw Kryptonite
Beat the Kobayashi Maru
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Beat the Kobayashi Maru
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MS
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Hard enough to get kids today to say ma'am and sir, I can't imagine trying to teach them anything even more complex like most of the world. LOL
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#4324680 - 12/30/16 06:42 PM
Re: Terms of formal address (languages)
[Re: PanzerMeyer]
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 24,712
Dart
Measured in Llamathrusts
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Measured in Llamathrusts
Lifer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 24,712
Alabaster, AL USA
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When in a foreign country, I have found that the Universal Greeting is sufficient. Excuse me, do you speak English?
The opinions of this poster are largely based on facts and portray a possible version of the actual events. More dumb stuff at http://www.darts-page.comFrom Laser: "The forum is the place where combat (real time) flight simulator fans come to play turn based strategy combat."
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#4324783 - 12/31/16 12:09 AM
Re: Terms of formal address (languages)
[Re: WileECoyote]
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,728
bones
Hotshot
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Hotshot
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Earth
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But you won't have to deal with Argentinians in your trip on Europe, you should consider your self lucky. He will if he runs into Messi in Barcelona or something...haha v6, boNes
"Also, I would prefer a back seater over the extra gas any day. I would have 80 pounds of flesh to eat and a pair of glasses to start a fire." --F/A-18 Hornet pilot
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#4324921 - 12/31/16 05:32 PM
Re: Terms of formal address (languages)
[Re: PanzerMeyer]
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 24,712
Dart
Measured in Llamathrusts
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Measured in Llamathrusts
Lifer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 24,712
Alabaster, AL USA
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Here in the South, sir and ma'am are still very common and acceptable for common use.
One can also add Mister or Miss before someone's first name as a way of showing endearment or respect (regardless of marital status), particularly if they're older.
So my wife is sometimes Miss Sherry.
The opinions of this poster are largely based on facts and portray a possible version of the actual events. More dumb stuff at http://www.darts-page.comFrom Laser: "The forum is the place where combat (real time) flight simulator fans come to play turn based strategy combat."
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#4324922 - 12/31/16 05:36 PM
Re: Terms of formal address (languages)
[Re: PanzerMeyer]
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 19,581
Raw Kryptonite
Beat the Kobayashi Maru
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Beat the Kobayashi Maru
Veteran
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Posts: 19,581
MS
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Yeah, kids call their friends parents "Miss Sandra" and "Mr Bill". I hate that one thanks to SNL. Sir and ma'am don't really even have to do with age, just showing respect or being friendly.
·Steam: Raw Kryptonite ·MWO & Elite Dangerous: Defcon Won ·Meager youtube channel·Intel i5-9600K ·EVGA GTX1070 FTW 8GB ·EVGA CLC 120 Cooler ·16 GB Patriot Memory VIPER 4 3000MHz ·GIGABYTE Z390 AORUS PRO WiFi Mobo · CORSAIR CARBIDE AIR 540 case ·BenQ BL3200PT monitor
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