(no subject)

[andrewducker]

Years and years ago, Kirsty and I had a discussion about the fact that what English really needed was a way to differentiate between inclusive and exclusive "we". That is, if you say "We are going to the shops", you could mean either "Me and Bob are going to the shops, without you." or "Grab your coat, all of us are going to the shops."

In conversation today, Flamebyrd told me:

Indonesian does. Kami is exclusive, and kita is inclusive.

And since Indonesian does, there's a pretty good chance that Malay also does, and probably some other SE Asian languages.

Which just goes to show that all things come to all who wait. Now, I just have to persuade everyone else to join in on this,

Comments

[kpollock.livejournal.com]

YES!!!!!

We must start a campaign!!!

[sythyry.livejournal.com]

I've wanted that for years! (Using the same terms, so I daresay they're standard linguistic terms).

And another thing.....

[paddie-gal.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely with you on this one.....and also what about the singular "you", and the plural "you"??

What are you doing? Do I mean you, Andy, or you, Andy and your mates?? Of course, being Irish, we just say youse......

Re: And another thing.....

[kpollock.livejournal.com]

So do the Scots (at least on the west coast where I come from).

I also want a word that means roughly what 'one' (as in "one does not know") but that sounds less poncy. I grew up using 'you' instead which makes me sound agressive and particular when I don't mean to be. I mean "you or I or anyone"