Datapoint Malayalam / Politeness Distinctions in Pronouns

Language:Malayalam
Feature:Politeness Distinctions in Pronouns by Johannes Helmbrecht
Value:Multiple politeness distinctions

Notes

aŋŋə

2nd sg. hon.

- historically local adverb meaning 'there';

- used as a polite form of address; now obsolete

aviʈunnə

2nd sg. hon.

- historically local adverbs meaning 'from there';

- used as polite forms of address; obsolete now

nii

2nd sg. infer.

- is reserved for addressing a person of inferior social

status, or to an equal who is familiar and intimate

niŋŋaɭ

2nd sg. hon.

- in some regions niŋŋaɭ may be taken too formal and

therefore unfriendly - instead 2nd sg infer. nii maybe

used

taan

2nd sg. intim.

- its used for the address of friends, while taaŋkaɭ(refl

pl) is used for strangers

taaŋkaɭ

2nd sg. hhon.

- its used as a very polite form of address in very

formal conversations;

- etymologically, it is a plural form of taan (reflpron);

- taan (Refl Sg) ist used for the address of friends,

while taaŋkaɭ (Refl Pl) is used for strangers

References