SOLIDARITY AND POLITENESS

SOLIDARITY AND POLITENESS

Group members:
Hoàn Mỹ - Tường Vy – Phương Quyên


TU and VOUS

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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’.


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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?)


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‘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

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“Vous” is also the “plural you”.

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“Vous” is used when talking to more than 1 person, no matter how
formal or informal you need to be.


Ex: Les enfants, vous êtes tous bien agités ce soir.

(Kids, you are all very fidgety tonight)


Ex: Mesdames, désirez-vous du café?

(Ladies, would you like some coffee)

SUMMARIZE

INFORMAL

FORMAL

1 PERSON

TU

VOUS

MORE THAN 1 PERSON

VOUS

VOUS


BE CAREFUL !!!

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Someone in authority may address you as “tu” but that does not mean you
can response with “tu”

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Example:

1. A teacher may address a student as “tu”, but the student should address the
teacher as “vous”.
2. An adult may address a child as “tu”, but the child should address the adult as
“vous” (Unless it’s a relative or someone close).


TU and VOUS

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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

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Mutual T for solidarity gradually replaced mutual V for politeness.

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Use of asymmetrical T/V decreased and mutual V was often used in its place.

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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 do 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

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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

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The switch from mutual TLN to FN is usually initiated by the most powerful member
in the relationship.

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Address somebody by title is the least intimate form of address in that titles usually

designates ranks or occupations.

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Using another’s first name is a sign of considerable intimacy.


ADDRESS TERMS
The Address Process Is Symmetrical Or Asymmetrical?

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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 do you address your father/mother in law?

 People sometimes give names to, and address
 Example:

non – human as well as humans.

How do you address your pets, if you have?


Sumarize
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The term of address indicates any lingustic form used by speakers to refer to the person
they are talking to.

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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
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POLITENESS is socially prescribed, we adjust to others in social relationships in ways
society deems appropriate.

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IMPOLITENESS depends on the existence of standards.


There are 2 kinds of Politeness:

Positive

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We try to achieve solidarity and treat others as friends. We do not impose
and never threaten their face.

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Example: symmetrical pronominal use.

Negative

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It leads to deference, indirectness and formality in language use.
Example: Asymmetric T/V use.