The word "deixis" is of Greek origin and means "pointing" or "indicating". In linguistics this term denotes a word or phrase that directly and categorically refers to temporal, locational, or personal characteristics of a communicative event and its participants.
Deixis lies in between the fields of semantics and pragmatics. Linguists differentiate 5 categories of deixis: person, place, time, discourse and social deixis.
This paper will be concerned with the category of social deixis which encodes the features of the communicative event which mark the social identity of the speaker or addressee, and the social relationship that holds between them.
In particular, the study of pronouns has a high degree of relevance in our everyday lives, as their appropriate use has ever been the concern of (socio-)linguists and average users alike.
In this paper I will explain the dimensions of power and solidarity and analyse the development that 2nd person pronouns have undergone from Old English until today. Furthermore, my paper is concerned with non- verbal communication and cultural differences and it includes a discussion on the question "When is it likely that there is a change of address and who has the right to propose a change?".
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 The Pronouns of Power and Solidarity in earlier stages of English
2.1. The dimensions of power and solidarity
2.2. 2nd person pronouns in Old English
2.2 Forms of address in Middle English
3 Forms of address in Modern English
3.1. Non – Verbal communication and cultural differences
4 Discussion
5 Summary
Research Objectives and Topics
The study investigates the historical development and functional shifts of second-person pronouns in the English language, specifically focusing on the transition from the T/V distinction to the modern usage of a single pronoun. It examines how social hierarchy, power dynamics, and solidarity influence address forms, while also exploring how cultural norms and non-verbal communication compensate for the loss of formal pronoun distinctions in Present Standard English.
- The linguistic evolution of T/V distinctions from Old English to the present.
- The theoretical frameworks of power and solidarity in social deixis.
- The impact of social change and language standardization on pronoun usage.
- The role of non-verbal cues and cultural context in maintaining social politeness.
- The social dynamics involved in initiating changes in address forms.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. The dimensions of power and solidarity
The choice of either the T or V pronoun is closely linked to the dimensions of power and solidarity.
Brown and Gilman (1960: 255) define power as “a relationship between at least two persons, and it is nonreciprocal in the sense that both cannot have power in the same area of behaviour. The power semantic is similarly nonreciprocal; the superior says T and receives V.” It is often said that language reveals, creates and reflects power. But where does power come from? There are many aspects that can make someone powerful. First of all, there are physical features, e.g. strength or height. There are also aspects that strengthen someone´s position within society such as wealth or a high position in the church, state or the army. A high social rank or status was (and still is) almost the guarantee for being respected by other people. A high level of respect made it likely that this person was addressed by the polite V pronoun, whereas these authorities often addressed inferiors by the T pronoun in the past.5
The use of the V form to address another person emphasizes the differences that exist between people, as this form of address reveals that one person is superior and the other has to subordinate. Therefore the nonreciprocal power semantic requires a society that is clearly structured and everyone must have a unique position in the hierarchy.
But as Gilman and Brown (1960: 256) point out “Medieval European societies were not so finely structured, and so the power semantic was never the only rule for the use of T and V.” There were also people that belonged to the same class and were equally powerful. Therefore the pronominal address was not always nonreciprocal but reciprocal in equal relationships. Reciprocal power semantic implies that both the speaker and the addressee gave and received the same form of address. It was a common phenomenon that people of the upper class exchanged a mutual V whereas equals of the lower class addressed each other by a T pronoun.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter defines social deixis and explains the significance of pronouns in marking social identity and relationship dynamics.
2 The Pronouns of Power and Solidarity in earlier stages of English: This section explores the theoretical dimensions of power and solidarity and tracks the shift from Old English's synthetic structure to Middle English's use of polite address forms.
3 Forms of address in Modern English: This chapter analyzes how Modern English compensates for the lack of T/V pronouns through various social and non-verbal communication methods.
4 Discussion: This part examines the dynamics of changing address forms, specifically the conditions under which a speaker might shift from V to T.
5 Summary: This concluding section synthesizes the evolution of English address forms and the necessity of social sensitivity in cross-cultural interactions.
Keywords
Social Deixis, T/V Distinction, Second-Person Pronouns, Power Semantic, Solidarity Semantic, Linguistic Evolution, Middle English, Modern English, Communicative Event, Politeness, Address Forms, Non-Verbal Communication, Cultural Differences, Brown and Gilman.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
This work explores the historical development of second-person pronouns in the English language, specifically looking at the transition from distinct T (intimate/inferior) and V (formal/superior) forms to the singular pronoun used today.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
The central themes include the concepts of power and solidarity, the influence of social hierarchy on language, and the evolution of address forms from the Old English period through Middle English to Modern English.
What is the main research question or objective?
The objective is to understand how the loss of the T/V distinction in English has altered the way speakers express formality, social status, and politeness, and how non-verbal cues replace these missing linguistic markers.
Which scientific methodology does the author use?
The author uses a historical and sociolinguistic approach, analyzing linguistic data and theoretical models—most notably the 1960 study by Brown and Gilman—to explain changes in pronoun usage and social behavior.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers the theoretical frameworks of power and solidarity, the historical progression of English pronouns, an analysis of modern address possibilities, and a discussion on cultural factors in communication.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include social deixis, T/V distinction, power semantic, solidarity semantic, linguistic morphology, and sociolinguistic evolution.
How does the author define the "power semantic" in language?
The power semantic is defined as a nonreciprocal relationship where the superior addresses the inferior with the T pronoun, while the inferior addresses the superior with the V pronoun, reflecting their respective positions in a hierarchy.
Why did "thou" disappear from the English language?
Its decline was driven by the development of a London-based standard, social marginalization, the radical influence of the Quakers, and the increasing preference for the more formal "you" to avoid potential insults.
How do cultural differences manifest in non-verbal communication?
Cultural differences are evident in "high-contact" versus "low-contact" societies, where behaviors such as eye contact, physical distance, and body contact are used to establish social boundaries in the absence of explicit V-pronoun markers.
- Quote paper
- Maxi Hinze (Author), 2006, Social Deixis: The development of second person pronouns from Old English to the present, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/69060
