Pluralis benevolentiae
When plural benevolentiae ( Latin for "plural of benevolence "; pronunciation: [pluʀaːlɪs benevolɛnʦi̯ɛ]) is called in linguistic pragmatics a pronominal form of address , namely an inclusive We , the place of You-or-die is used to the distance to To reduce the spoken word and to create confidentiality and emotional warmth.
In German-speaking countries, the pluralis benevolentiae is particularly used by parents when dealing with their young children in a loving manner: "We are going to the toilet now, peeing." Another variant is the "moderator we" that speakers and moderators often use to express that they would like to meet those addressed on an equal footing: "In a crisis we often develop unimagined powers."
Change in usage
The stylistic quality of the pluralis benevolentiae has changed over the course of modern times. Until well into the 20th century, the form of medical and nursing staff was also often used with adults, for example: “How are we today, did we have bowel movements?” It is therefore sometimes referred to as the nurse plural or pluralis sanitatis . Today, however, the use of the form is often perceived as inappropriately distant and therefore impolite. It can even be chosen specifically to humiliate the person addressed: "My dear friend and engraver , we will never do that again!"
The ironic character that the pluralis benevolentiae can assume also appears in other languages:
"He invited her to sit with him, and she ordered her tea from an old Arab waiter in a shoddy rose-colored uniform." Gracious! Aren't we ever picturesque! " she said. "
“He invited her to sit with him and she ordered her tea from an old Arab waiter in a shabby pink uniform. ,Oh my goodness! What are we picturesque! ' she said."
Similar shapes
Among the generic we-forms, the pluralis benevolentiae in German is the only one that is used to address other people. Plural forms such as the pluralis modestiae , the pluralis auctoris and the pluralis majestatis , on the other hand, denote an I.
literature
- Helmut Glück (Ed.): Metzler Lexicon Language . 4th edition. JB Metzler, Stuttgart, Weimar 2010, ISBN 978-3-476-02335-3 , pp. 518 ( limited preview in Google Book search).
Web links
- So. So we're still pissing! Retrieved September 23, 2016 (cartoon by Marie Marcks ).
Individual evidence
- ↑ Nappy weaning day 1. Retrieved September 23, 2016 . Diaper-free: 4 ways to find out when your baby needs to pee poop. Retrieved September 23, 2016 . Two baby diapers? Goodbye diaper! Retrieved September 23, 2016 .
- ↑ Marlies Nowottnick: Youth, Language and Media: Studies of radio broadcasts for young people . DeGruyter, Berlin, New York 1989, ISBN 3-11-012119-0 , pp. 184 ( limited preview in Google Book search).
- ^ A b Pluralis Majestatis, Pluralis Modestiae and Nurses Plural. Retrieved September 23, 2016 .
- ↑ Heinrich Maria Löbbers: Who are we? In: Süddeutsche Zeitung . July 8, 2016 ( online ).
- ↑ Lambrusco against Weltschmerz. Retrieved September 23, 2016 .