2006-06-28 02:16:52 · 13 answers · asked by sandu 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Many learners of English believe that speakers of English are informal because we don't have special endings on our nouns and pronouns to show formality. However, we do have other ways to show formality that you may not be aware of. For example, the name that we call a person is very important. Please do not ignore this formality system. Even though it is different from what you are used to, it is just as important.
2006-06-28 06:11:07 · answer #1 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's not a lack of respect, it's just we'd rather not repeat a person's name over and over again and sound idiotic.
"Father did this, then Father did that, and afterwards Father asked for a pillow so Father could take a nap before Father went to work", is repetitive and, by the time you're finished you're boring statement, the listener is contemplating punching the speaker in the face.
We're not the Japanese. We don't believe pronouns to be rude.
2006-06-28 04:16:05 · answer #2 · answered by Belie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The English have no respect for anyone. Just look at their history and see how they treated people in the past. And the present is only marginally better. They are rough and rude by nature, most of them are badly educated, and they lack the fineries of culture.
2006-06-28 02:28:57 · answer #3 · answered by Alex B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure what you mean, but it could be semantic issues, if English is not your native language. He and him are not disrespectful in and of themselves, it is how the words are said, and I think many English speakers are respectful of their elders, calling them "sir" or "ma'am" and being generally polite to them.
2006-06-28 02:21:26 · answer #4 · answered by Leah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's not the fault of English people. There is just no alternative for words like 'he' or 'she' that would have some respect attached to it.
The problem doesn't lie with English, the problem lies with the western people throwing off their old parents in old-age homes and talking to them disrespectfully. but God reciprocates such misbehavior with parents, when such insolent youngsters get old and their own children misbehave with them as once they did with their parents.
2006-06-28 02:24:11 · answer #5 · answered by The Invincible Rasputin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He and him? They are just pronouns.
It's okay to say something like "Dad said I have to clean the car, he told me this morning to do it."
But when I address a man older than me by at least 6 years I call him Sir. I will also use Sir to my Dad when I address him. Same goes for women. They are all Ma'am if they are older than me and my Mother is always shown the same respect.
2006-06-28 02:23:26 · answer #6 · answered by hisgirl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
English makes no distinction between (honorable and esteemed) he/him and (dirty uneducated guttersnipe) he/him. Just the way the language evolved.
2006-07-02 18:40:15 · answer #7 · answered by Oghma Gem 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i agree wid sneha...but its not their fault, their language does not differentiate between elders n youngers ones.
waise bhi its ur gestures dat matter.
In lucknow it is said dat even gaali (verbal abuse) is also sweet coz it is said wid so much of respect like aap bade hi kameene kism ke insaan hain miyan.
2006-06-28 05:17:00 · answer #8 · answered by yask4u 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's not considered disrespectful here as long as people know who you're talking about.
2006-06-28 02:19:51 · answer #9 · answered by ♥uncw shelley♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i for one wouldnt call my father, her.
2006-06-28 02:20:19 · answer #10 · answered by havanadig 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋