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Interestingly the formality ladder flips at the very top of the hierarchy. Kings and popes must be addressed diffusely with plurals and layered references to of

• 082349872349872 3y ago
  That's because the english notion of informal/formal is a poor fit for the modern, symmetric use of T-V. It's more of a social distance, with V-form for people outside the personal sphere, and T-form for people outside the public sphere. So, as an atheist, I'd use V-form* with the Christian God, but His Believers really ought to be using T-form with Him. * Si vous plaît, j'aimerais bien savior comment fonctionne la turbulence ... mais ne vous inquiétez pas si l'explication serait trop compliqué !
  • School-Cotton 3y ago
    La turbulence ?
    • 082349872349872 3y ago
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbulence#Kolmogorov's_theory_of_1941 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbulence#Kolmogorov's_theory... see also https://www.newscientist.com/letter/mg12416936-800-letter-last-word/ https://www.newscientist.com/letter/mg12416936-800-letter-la... (but the way I heard the joke is that the scientist has planned to ask Him how to resolve gravitation with quantum mechanics, and only then the bystanders inquire, why not ask about turbulence?)
• euroderf 3y ago
  > Kings and popes must be addressed diffusely with plurals So I guess "the royal 'We'" falls under "believing your own marketing".