The Pronouns of Power and

Solidarity

T and V

Pronouns of Address• You

• Thou- prayers and poetry

Before:

• Ye/You-formal

• Thou-informal

• T: Kumain ka na?

V: Kumain na po kayo?

(Have you eaten?)

• T: Ikaw ang napili para sa contest.

V: Sila po ang napili para sa contest.

(You were chosen for the contest.)

T and V

2 pronouns of address (You)

• Latin- Tu; Vos

• Italian- Tu; Voi (Lei)

• French- Tu; Vous

• Spanish- Tu; Vos (Usted)

• German- Du; Ihr (Er, Sie)

• English- Thou; Ye (You)

Two dimensions to the analysis of social life

Semantic Evolution of

T and V

• Latin Tu- singular

• Latin Vos- pluralsingular

• 4th century- T for all, V for emperor

(implicit plurality)

• Royal Persons: We; Common Persons: I

• Roman Emperor: Nos and reverential

Vos

• Expansion in society

Power Semantic

• Power- Relationship and control

• Superior: T and receives V

• Bases of power- strength, age, wealth,

sex, role in church and the state

• A child’s experience of subordination

to power starts within his family.

• Social structure, strata

• Upper Class: V; Lower Class: T

Solidarity Semantic

• Power: Asymmetrical/nonreciprocal;

Solidarity: symmetrical/reciprocal

• Like mindedness, similar behavioral

dispositions

• Differentiating address among equal

power

• T: Intimacy; V: Reverence

Figure 1

Superior and Solidary Superior and not Solidary

Equal and Solidary Equal and not Solidary

Inferior and Solidary Inferior and not Solidary

Customer

T V V

Waiter

Officer

T V V

Soldier

Employer

T V V

Employee

Parent

T T V

Son

Master

T T V

Faithful Servant

Elder Brother

T T V

Younger Brother

Customer

V

Waiter

Officer

V

Soldier

Employer

V

Employee

Parent

T

Son

Master

T

Faithful Servant

Elder Brother

T

Younger Brother

Figure 2

Interview

• Address between master and servant

retains the greatest power loading.

• Mutual T is advancing among fellow

students, fellow workers, members of

the same political group.

Survey

• Students were asked to answer a

questionnaire about their usage of T

and V.

• Family, school, strangers, etc.

• Members: Upper-middle class

Results

• German: T is applied within the family.

• French: T is applied in school and

workplace. (fellow MALE student/

fellow MALE worker)

• Italian: T is applied within the family but

more in school and workplace.

: extended to Italian female

Semantics, Social Structure and

Ideologies

• Power semantic is distributed by birthright.

• Reciprocal solidarity: equalitarian ideology.

• Prevails so much in French Literature.

• French Africa use nonreciprocal address to recognize Caste system. (Eu: V, Af: T)

• “Ye”- reverential singular by nobility.

Religious Society of Friends

(Quakers)• George Fox

• 17th Century

• Popes introduced V

• Scriptures show the God is not happy

to say and receive T.

• Communism- Universal mutual T of solidarity.

• Afrikaans- 8 nonreciprocal power

distinction.

- Use T but not those who belong in

the last two lower castes.

- Coloreds: Meneer; Black: Baas

• Hindi- nonreciprocal T and V.

• Americans- no discriminating pronouns but

there are nonreciprocal norms of address.

• (White: First name, Negro: Mr, Ms)

• T and V are partnered with actions.

• Change in mode of address.

• Equalitarian favors solidarity.

Group Styles with the Pronouns

of Address

• Variations in pronouns style: social status of speaker– V – good breeding

• V and T indicates class membership (king and servant)

• Literature: social climbers through wrong imitation of V.

• Child learns what to use depending on what group he belongs to.

• Barriers (religion, race, nationality, etc.) affect non-solidarity.

Pronouns of Address as

Expression of Transient

Attitudes

• Behavior norms are practices consistent within a

group.

• Choice of pronoun violates the norm of a group

due to variation of attitudes.

• Not consistent personal styles but a deviation

from one’s group’s customs.

• Breaking the rule of solidarity: thinking another

member as an outsider.

Pronouns of Address as

Expression of Transient

Attitudes

• T contempt or anger

• V admiration or respect

• Dramas: V among high ranks and T toward confidante.

• Thou and Ye: mood and tone

• Relationship between pronouns and actions. (mocking)

• Solidarity semantic on plays: sympathy and estrangement