Johannes Helmbrecht. 2013. Politeness Distinctions in Pronouns. In: Dryer, Matthew S. & Haspelmath, Martin (eds.) WALS Online (v2020.4) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13950591 (Available online at http://wals.info/chapter/45, Accessed on 2026-06-10.) wals code name value description latitude longitude genus family area abu Abun 1 No politeness distinction -0.5 132.5 Abun Abun Nominal Categories aco Acoma 1 No politeness distinction 34.9166666667 -107.583333333 Keresan Keresan Nominal Categories ain Ainu 2 Binary politeness distinction 43.0 143.0 Ainu Ainu Nominal Categories ala Alamblak 1 No politeness distinction -4.66666666667 143.333333333 Sepik Hill Sepik Nominal Categories alb Albanian 1 No politeness distinction 41.0 20.0 Albanian Indo-European Nominal Categories ame Amele 1 No politeness distinction -5.25 145.583333333 Mabuso Trans-New Guinea Nominal Categories ago Angolar 2 Binary politeness distinction 0.25 6.5 Creoles and Pidgins other Nominal Categories apu Apurinã 1 No politeness distinction -9.0 -67.0 Purus Arawakan Nominal Categories aeg Arabic (Egyptian) 1 No politeness distinction 30.0 31.0 Semitic Afro-Asiatic Nominal Categories arp Arapesh (Mountain) 1 No politeness distinction -3.46666666667 143.166666667 Kombio-Arapesh Torricelli Nominal Categories arm Armenian (Eastern) 2 Binary politeness distinction 40.0 45.0 Armenian Indo-European Nominal Categories asm Asmat 1 No politeness distinction -5.5 138.5 Asmat-Kamrau Bay Asmat-Kamrau Bay Nominal Categories awp Awa Pit 1 No politeness distinction 1.5 -78.25 Barbacoan Barbacoan Nominal Categories aym Aymara (Central) 1 No politeness distinction -17.0 -69.0 Aymaran Aymaran Nominal Categories bab Babungo 1 No politeness distinction 6.11666666667 10.4166666667 Wide Grassfields Niger-Congo Nominal Categories bag Bagirmi 1 No politeness distinction 11.6666666667 16.0 Bongo-Bagirmi Central Sudanic Nominal Categories bam Bambara 1 No politeness distinction 12.5 -7.5 Western Mande Mande Nominal Categories ble Baoulé 1 No politeness distinction 7.0 -5.0 Tano Niger-Congo Nominal Categories brs Barasano 1 No politeness distinction -0.166666666667 -70.6666666667 Tucanoan Tucanoan Nominal Categories bsq Basque 2 Binary politeness distinction 43.0 -3.0 Basque Basque Nominal Categories bto Batak (Toba) 2 Binary politeness distinction 2.5 99.0 Northwest Sumatra-Barrier Islands Austronesian Nominal Categories bma Berber (Middle Atlas) 1 No politeness distinction 33.0 -5.0 Berber Afro-Asiatic Nominal Categories brh Brahui 1 No politeness distinction 28.5 67.0 Dravidian Dravidian Nominal Categories bre Breton 2 Binary politeness distinction 48.0 -3.0 Celtic Indo-European Nominal Categories bri Bribri 1 No politeness distinction 9.41666666667 -83.0 Western Isthmic Chibchan Chibchan Nominal Categories brm Burmese 4 Pronouns avoided for politeness 21.0 96.0 Burmese-Lolo Sino-Tibetan Nominal Categories bur Burushaski 1 No politeness distinction 36.5 74.5 Burushaski Burushaski Nominal Categories cnl Canela 1 No politeness distinction -7.0 -45.0 Je Setentrional Macro-Ge Nominal Categories cyv Cayuvava 1 No politeness distinction -13.5 -65.5 Cayuvava Cayuvava Nominal Categories cha Chamorro 1 No politeness distinction 13.45 144.75 Chamorro Austronesian Nominal Categories chk Chukchi 1 No politeness distinction 67.0 -173.0 Northern Chukotko-Kamchatkan Chukotko-Kamchatkan Nominal Categories cmn Comanche 1 No politeness distinction 33.5 -101.5 Northern Uto-Aztecan Uto-Aztecan Nominal Categories cop Coptic 1 No politeness distinction 26.0 32.0 Egyptian-Coptic Afro-Asiatic Nominal Categories crn Cornish 2 Binary politeness distinction 50.3333333333 -5.0 Celtic Indo-European Nominal Categories cre Cree (Plains) 1 No politeness distinction 54.0 -110.0 Algonquian Algic Nominal Categories dag Daga 1 No politeness distinction -10.0 149.333333333 Dagan Trans-New Guinea Nominal Categories dni Dani (Lower Grand Valley) 1 No politeness distinction -4.33333333333 138.833333333 Dani Trans-New Guinea Nominal Categories dsh Danish 2 Binary politeness distinction 56.0 10.0 Germanic Indo-European Nominal Categories dmi Dumi 1 No politeness distinction 27.25 86.6666666667 Himalayish Sino-Tibetan Nominal Categories dut Dutch 2 Binary politeness distinction 52.5 6.0 Germanic Indo-European Nominal Categories dyi Dyirbal 1 No politeness distinction -17.8333333333 145.583333333 Northern Pama-Nyungan Pama-Nyungan Nominal Categories eng English 1 No politeness distinction 52.0 0.0 Germanic Indo-European Nominal Categories eve Evenki 1 No politeness distinction 56.0 125.0 Tungusic Altaic Nominal Categories ewe Ewe 1 No politeness distinction 6.33333333333 0.416666666667 Gbe Niger-Congo Nominal Categories fij Fijian 2 Binary politeness distinction -17.8333333333 178.0 Oceanic Austronesian Nominal Categories fin Finnish 2 Binary politeness distinction 62.0 25.0 Finnic Uralic Nominal Categories fre French 2 Binary politeness distinction 48.0 2.0 Romance Indo-European Nominal Categories fur Fur 1 No politeness distinction 13.5 25.0 Fur Fur Nominal Categories gae Gaelic (Scots) 2 Binary politeness distinction 57.0 -4.0 Celtic Indo-European Nominal Categories gar Garo 1 No politeness distinction 25.6666666667 90.5 Brahmaputran Sino-Tibetan Nominal Categories geo Georgian 2 Binary politeness distinction 42.0 44.0 Kartvelian Kartvelian Nominal Categories ger German 2 Binary politeness distinction 52.0 10.0 Germanic Indo-European Nominal Categories goo Gooniyandi 1 No politeness distinction -18.3333333333 126.333333333 Bunuban Bunuban Nominal Categories grb Grebo 1 No politeness distinction 5.0 -8.0 Kru Niger-Congo Nominal Categories grk Greek (Modern) 2 Binary politeness distinction 39.0 22.0 Greek Indo-European Nominal Categories grw Greenlandic (West) 1 No politeness distinction 64.0 -51.0 Eskimo Eskimo-Aleut Nominal Categories gua Guaraní 1 No politeness distinction -26.0 -56.0 Maweti-Guarani Tupian Nominal Categories hat Hatam 1 No politeness distinction -1.0 134.0 Hatim-Mansim Hatim-Mansim Nominal Categories hau Hausa 1 No politeness distinction 12.0 7.0 West Chadic Afro-Asiatic Nominal Categories haw Hawaiian 1 No politeness distinction 19.5833333333 -155.5 Oceanic Austronesian Nominal Categories heb Hebrew (Modern) 1 No politeness distinction 31.5 34.8333333333 Semitic Afro-Asiatic Nominal Categories hin Hindi 3 Multiple politeness distinctions 25.0 77.0 Indic Indo-European Nominal Categories hix Hixkaryana 1 No politeness distinction -1.0 -59.0 Cariban Cariban Nominal Categories hmo Hmong Njua 1 No politeness distinction 28.0 105.0 Hmongic Hmong-Mien Nominal Categories hun Hungarian 3 Multiple politeness distinctions 47.0 20.0 Ugric Uralic Nominal Categories igb Igbo 1 No politeness distinction 6.0 7.33333333333 Igboid Niger-Congo Nominal Categories imo Imonda 1 No politeness distinction -3.33333333333 141.166666667 Border Border Nominal Categories ind Indonesian 4 Pronouns avoided for politeness 0.0 106.0 Malayo-Sumbawan Austronesian Nominal Categories irq Iraqw 1 No politeness distinction -4.0 35.5 Southern Cushitic Afro-Asiatic Nominal Categories iri Irish 1 No politeness distinction 53.0 -8.0 Celtic Indo-European Nominal Categories ita Italian 2 Binary politeness distinction 43.0 12.0 Romance Indo-European Nominal Categories jak Jakaltek 1 No politeness distinction 15.6666666667 -91.6666666667 Mayan Mayan Nominal Categories jpn Japanese 4 Pronouns avoided for politeness 37.0 140.0 Japanese Japanese Nominal Categories jaq Jaqaru 1 No politeness distinction -13.0 -76.0 Aymaran Aymaran Nominal Categories juh Ju|'hoan 1 No politeness distinction -19.0 21.0 Ju-Kung Kxa Nominal Categories kam Kambera 1 No politeness distinction -9.83333333333 120.166666667 Central Malayo-Polynesian Austronesian Nominal Categories knd Kannada 3 Multiple politeness distinctions 14.0 76.0 Dravidian Dravidian Nominal Categories knr Kanuri 1 No politeness distinction 12.0 13.0 Western Saharan Saharan Nominal Categories krk Karok 1 No politeness distinction 41.6666666667 -123.0 Karok Hokan Nominal Categories kas Kashmiri 2 Binary politeness distinction 34.0 76.0 Indic Indo-European Nominal Categories kyl Kayah Li (Eastern) 1 No politeness distinction 19.0 97.5 Karen Sino-Tibetan Nominal Categories kay Kayardild 1 No politeness distinction -17.05 139.5 Tangkic Tangkic Nominal Categories ker Kera 1 No politeness distinction 9.83333333333 15.0833333333 East Chadic Afro-Asiatic Nominal Categories kew Kewa 1 No politeness distinction -6.5 143.833333333 Enga_Kewa-Huli Trans-New Guinea Nominal Categories kha Khalkha 2 Binary politeness distinction 47.0 105.0 Mongolic Altaic Nominal Categories khs Khasi 2 Binary politeness distinction 25.5 92.0 Khasian Austro-Asiatic Nominal Categories khm Khmer 4 Pronouns avoided for politeness 12.5 105.0 Khmer Austro-Asiatic Nominal Categories kmu Khmu' 1 No politeness distinction 21.0 102.0 Khmuic Austro-Asiatic Nominal Categories klv Kilivila 1 No politeness distinction -8.5 151.083333333 Oceanic Austronesian Nominal Categories kio Kiowa 1 No politeness distinction 37.0 -99.0 Kiowa-Tanoan Kiowa-Tanoan Nominal Categories kis Kisi 1 No politeness distinction 8.83333333333 -10.1666666667 Southern Mel Niger-Congo Nominal Categories koa Koasati 1 No politeness distinction 34.8333333333 -85.1666666667 Muskogean Muskogean Nominal Categories kob Kobon 1 No politeness distinction -5.16666666667 144.333333333 Kalam-Kobon Trans-New Guinea Nominal Categories kmb Kombai 1 No politeness distinction -5.58333333333 140.0 Ndeiram Trans-New Guinea Nominal Categories kon Kongo 1 No politeness distinction -5.0 15.0 Bantu Niger-Congo Nominal Categories kor Korean 4 Pronouns avoided for politeness 37.5 128.0 Korean Korean Nominal Categories kfe Koromfe 2 Binary politeness distinction 14.25 -0.916666666667 Koromfe Niger-Congo Nominal Categories kos Kosraean 2 Binary politeness distinction 5.3 163.0 Oceanic Austronesian Nominal Categories kse Koyraboro Senni 1 No politeness distinction 16.0 0.0 Songhay Songhay Nominal Categories kro Krongo 1 No politeness distinction 10.5 30.0 Kadugli Kadu Nominal Categories knm Kunama 1 No politeness distinction 14.5 37.0 Kunama Kunama Nominal Categories kji Kurmanji 1 No politeness distinction 38.0 42.0 Iranian Indo-European Nominal Categories kut Kutenai 1 No politeness distinction 49.5 -116.0 Kutenai Kutenai Nominal Categories lkt Lakhota 1 No politeness distinction 43.8333333333 -101.833333333 Mississippi Valley Siouan Siouan Nominal Categories lan Lango 1 No politeness distinction 2.16666666667 33.0 Western Nilotic Eastern Sudanic Nominal Categories lat Latvian 2 Binary politeness distinction 57.0 24.0 Baltic Indo-European Nominal Categories lav Lavukaleve 1 No politeness distinction -9.08333333333 159.2 Lavukaleve Solomons East Papuan Nominal Categories lez Lezgian 1 No politeness distinction 41.6666666667 47.8333333333 Lezgic Nakh-Daghestanian Nominal Categories lim Limbu 1 No politeness distinction 27.1666666667 87.75 Himalayish Sino-Tibetan Nominal Categories lit Lithuanian 3 Multiple politeness distinctions 55.0 24.0 Baltic Indo-European Nominal Categories luv Luvale 2 Binary politeness distinction -12.0 22.0 Bantu Niger-Congo Nominal Categories mak Makah 1 No politeness distinction 48.3333333333 -124.666666667 Southern Wakashan Wakashan Nominal Categories mal Malagasy 1 No politeness distinction -20.0 47.0 Barito Austronesian Nominal Categories mym Malayalam 3 Multiple politeness distinctions 10.0 76.5 Dravidian Dravidian Nominal Categories mnd Mandarin 2 Binary politeness distinction 34.0 110.0 Chinese Sino-Tibetan Nominal Categories mmb Mangap-Mbula 1 No politeness distinction -5.66666666667 148.083333333 Oceanic Austronesian Nominal Categories myi Mangarrayi 1 No politeness distinction -14.6666666667 133.5 Mangarrayi Mangarrayi-Maran Nominal Categories mnx Manx 2 Binary politeness distinction 54.1666666667 -4.5 Celtic Indo-European Nominal Categories mao Maori 1 No politeness distinction -40.0 176.0 Oceanic Austronesian Nominal Categories map Mapudungun 1 No politeness distinction -38.0 -72.0 Araucanian Araucanian Nominal Categories mhi Marathi 3 Multiple politeness distinctions 19.0 76.0 Indic Indo-European Nominal Categories mar Maricopa 1 No politeness distinction 33.1666666667 -113.166666667 Yuman Hokan Nominal Categories mrt Martuthunira 1 No politeness distinction -20.8333333333 116.5 Western Pama-Nyungan Pama-Nyungan Nominal Categories msl Masalit 1 No politeness distinction 13.3333333333 22.0 Maban Maban Nominal Categories mau Maung 1 No politeness distinction -11.9166666667 133.5 Iwaidjan Iwaidjan Nominal Categories may Maybrat 1 No politeness distinction -1.33333333333 132.5 Maybrat Maybrat Nominal Categories mei Meithei 1 No politeness distinction 24.75 94.0 Manipuri Sino-Tibetan Nominal Categories mss Miwok (Southern Sierra) 1 No politeness distinction 37.5 -120.0 Miwok Penutian Nominal Categories mxc Mixtec (Chalcatongo) 2 Binary politeness distinction 17.05 -97.5833333333 Mixtec Oto-Manguean Nominal Categories mrl Murle 1 No politeness distinction 6.5 33.5 South Surmic Eastern Sudanic Nominal Categories nhh Nahuatl (Huasteca) 2 Binary politeness distinction 22.0 -99.0 Aztecan Uto-Aztecan Nominal Categories nhn Nahuatl (North Puebla) 2 Binary politeness distinction 20.0 -98.25 Aztecan Uto-Aztecan Nominal Categories nht Nahuatl (Tetelcingo) 3 Multiple politeness distinctions 19.6666666667 -99.0 Aztecan Uto-Aztecan Nominal Categories kho Nama 2 Binary politeness distinction -25.5 18.0 Khoe-Kwadi Khoe-Kwadi Nominal Categories nep Nepali 3 Multiple politeness distinctions 28.0 85.0 Indic Indo-European Nominal Categories nez Nez Perce 1 No politeness distinction 46.0 -116.0 Sahaptian Penutian Nominal Categories nti Ngiti 1 No politeness distinction 1.33333333333 30.25 Lendu Central Sudanic Nominal Categories ngi Ngiyambaa 1 No politeness distinction -31.75 145.5 Southeastern Pama-Nyungan Pama-Nyungan Nominal Categories noo Noon 1 No politeness distinction 14.8333333333 -16.8333333333 Cangin Niger-Congo Nominal Categories nor Norwegian 2 Binary politeness distinction 61.0 8.0 Germanic Indo-European Nominal Categories nbd Nubian (Dongolese) 1 No politeness distinction 18.25 30.75 Nubian Eastern Sudanic Nominal Categories nug Nunggubuyu 1 No politeness distinction -13.75 135.666666667 Nunggubuyu Gunwinyguan Nominal Categories ond Oneida 1 No politeness distinction 43.0 -75.6666666667 Northern Iroquoian Iroquoian Nominal Categories orh Oromo (Harar) 1 No politeness distinction 9.0 42.0 Lowland East Cushitic Afro-Asiatic Nominal Categories oss Ossetic 1 No politeness distinction 43.0 44.0 Iranian Indo-European Nominal Categories otm Otomí (Mezquital) 1 No politeness distinction 20.1666666667 -99.1666666667 Otomian Oto-Manguean Nominal Categories pai Paiwan 1 No politeness distinction 22.5 120.833333333 Paiwan Austronesian Nominal Categories pan Panjabi 2 Binary politeness distinction 31.0 74.0 Indic Indo-European Nominal Categories psh Pashto 2 Binary politeness distinction 33.0 67.0 Iranian Indo-European Nominal Categories per Pero 1 No politeness distinction 9.58333333333 11.0 West Chadic Afro-Asiatic Nominal Categories prs Persian 2 Binary politeness distinction 32.0 54.0 Iranian Indo-European Nominal Categories pip Pipil 1 No politeness distinction 13.8333333333 -89.5833333333 Aztecan Uto-Aztecan Nominal Categories prh Pirahã 1 No politeness distinction -7.0 -62.0 Mura Mura Nominal Categories pit Pitjantjatjara 1 No politeness distinction -26.0 130.0 Western Pama-Nyungan Pama-Nyungan Nominal Categories poh Pohnpeian 3 Multiple politeness distinctions 6.88333333333 158.25 Oceanic Austronesian Nominal Categories pol Polish 2 Binary politeness distinction 52.0 20.0 Slavic Indo-European Nominal Categories pso Pomo (Southeastern) 1 No politeness distinction 39.0 -122.5 Pomoan Hokan Nominal Categories por Portuguese 2 Binary politeness distinction 39.0 -8.0 Romance Indo-European Nominal Categories qim Quechua (Imbabura) 2 Binary politeness distinction 0.333333333333 -78.0 Quechuan Quechuan Nominal Categories ram Rama 1 No politeness distinction 11.75 -83.75 Rama Chibchan Nominal Categories rap Rapanui 1 No politeness distinction -27.1166666667 -109.366666667 Oceanic Austronesian Nominal Categories rom Romanian 3 Multiple politeness distinctions 46.0 25.0 Romance Indo-European Nominal Categories rus Russian 2 Binary politeness distinction 56.0 38.0 Slavic Indo-European Nominal Categories san Sango 2 Binary politeness distinction 5.0 18.0 Ubangi Niger-Congo Nominal Categories snm Sanuma 1 No politeness distinction 4.5 -64.6666666667 Yanomam Yanomam Nominal Categories sav Savi 1 No politeness distinction 35.0 71.5 Indic Indo-European Nominal Categories snt Sentani 1 No politeness distinction -2.58333333333 140.583333333 Sentanic Sentanic Nominal Categories sng Sinaugoro 1 No politeness distinction -9.83333333333 147.833333333 Oceanic Austronesian Nominal Categories snh Sinhala 3 Multiple politeness distinctions 7.0 80.5 Indic Indo-European Nominal Categories sla Slave 1 No politeness distinction 67.0 -125.0 Athapaskan Na-Dene Nominal Categories som Somali 1 No politeness distinction 3.0 45.0 Lowland East Cushitic Afro-Asiatic Nominal Categories spa Spanish 2 Binary politeness distinction 40.0 -4.0 Romance Indo-European Nominal Categories sue Suena 2 Binary politeness distinction -7.75 147.55 Binanderean Trans-New Guinea Nominal Categories sup Supyire 1 No politeness distinction 11.5 -5.58333333333 Senufo Niger-Congo Nominal Categories swa Swahili 1 No politeness distinction -6.5 39.0 Bantu Niger-Congo Nominal Categories swe Swedish 2 Binary politeness distinction 60.0 15.0 Germanic Indo-European Nominal Categories tab Taba 2 Binary politeness distinction 0.0 127.5 South Halmahera - West New Guinea Austronesian Nominal Categories tag Tagalog 3 Multiple politeness distinctions 15.0 121.0 Greater Central Philippine Austronesian Nominal Categories tml Tamil 3 Multiple politeness distinctions 11.0 78.5 Dravidian Dravidian Nominal Categories taw Tawala 1 No politeness distinction -10.3333333333 150.666666667 Oceanic Austronesian Nominal Categories tay Tayo 2 Binary politeness distinction -22.0 166.333333333 Creoles and Pidgins other Nominal Categories ttn Tetun 2 Binary politeness distinction -9.0 126.0 Central Malayo-Polynesian Austronesian Nominal Categories tha Thai 4 Pronouns avoided for politeness 16.0 101.0 Kam-Tai Tai-Kadai Nominal Categories tib Tibetan (Standard Spoken) 2 Binary politeness distinction 30.0 91.0 Bodic Sino-Tibetan Nominal Categories tiw Tiwi 1 No politeness distinction -11.5 131.0 Tiwian Tiwian Nominal Categories tli Tlingit 1 No politeness distinction 59.0 -135.0 Tlingit Na-Dene Nominal Categories tuk Tukang Besi 3 Multiple politeness distinctions -5.5 123.5 Celebic Austronesian Nominal Categories tur Turkish 2 Binary politeness distinction 39.0 35.0 Turkic Altaic Nominal Categories ura Ura 1 No politeness distinction -18.6666666667 169.083333333 Oceanic Austronesian Nominal Categories urd Urdu 3 Multiple politeness distinctions 25.0 67.0 Indic Indo-European Nominal Categories vie Vietnamese 4 Pronouns avoided for politeness 10.5 106.5 Vietic Austro-Asiatic Nominal Categories wam Wambaya 1 No politeness distinction -18.6666666667 135.75 Wambayan Mirndi Nominal Categories wra Warao 1 No politeness distinction 9.33333333333 -61.6666666667 Warao Warao Nominal Categories war Wari' 1 No politeness distinction -11.3333333333 -65.0 Chapacura-Wanham Chapacura-Wanham Nominal Categories wel Welsh 2 Binary politeness distinction 52.0 -3.0 Celtic Indo-European Nominal Categories wic Wichita 1 No politeness distinction 33.3333333333 -97.3333333333 Northern Caddoan Caddoan Nominal Categories wch Wichí 1 No politeness distinction -22.5 -62.5833333333 Matacoan Matacoan Nominal Categories yag Yagua 1 No politeness distinction -3.5 -72.0 Peba-Yaguan Peba-Yaguan Nominal Categories yaq Yaqui 1 No politeness distinction 27.5 -110.25 Cahita Uto-Aztecan Nominal Categories yim Yimas 1 No politeness distinction -4.66666666667 143.55 Lower Sepik Ramu-Lower Sepik Nominal Categories yin Yindjibarndi 1 No politeness distinction -21.75 117.916666667 Western Pama-Nyungan Pama-Nyungan Nominal Categories yor Yoruba 2 Binary politeness distinction 8.0 4.33333333333 Defoid Niger-Congo Nominal Categories yct Yucatec 1 No politeness distinction 20.0 -89.0 Mayan Mayan Nominal Categories yko Yukaghir (Kolyma) 1 No politeness distinction 65.75 150.833333333 Yukaghir Yukaghir Nominal Categories yur Yurok 1 No politeness distinction 41.3333333333 -124.0 Yurok Algic Nominal Categories zqc Zoque (Copainalá) 1 No politeness distinction 17.0 -93.25 Mixe-Zoque Mixe-Zoque Nominal Categories zul Zulu 1 No politeness distinction -30.0 30.0 Bantu Niger-Congo Nominal Categories