2 Formal or polite ni is still used occasionally for both singular and plural
‘you’ in more conservative circles, amongst older people who are not on
first-name terms, and (with a capital letter: see 14.1 (5)) in formal business
and official communications.
3 Titles: Previously a title and a third person construction were sometimes
used to convey formal deference when addressing someone. (English has
a similar construction. Cf: ‘Would madam like to try on the coat?’ and
Skulle damen vilja prova kappan?) Unless used ironically, this form of
address is reserved only for very formal occasions in modern Swedish.
Har kungen några önskemål?
Do you have any wishes, Your Majesty?
4 Impersonal constructions: Especially when asking a question, impersonal
constructions provide a very neutral – but by no means unfriendly or
impolite – form of address between people not personally acquainted.
Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: |