Datapoint Portuguese / Politeness Distinctions in Pronouns

Language:Portuguese
Feature:Politeness Distinctions in Pronouns by Johannes Helmbrecht
Value:Binary politeness distinction

Notes

a senhora

2nd sg. hon.

- polite form of address in European Portuguese

o senhor

2nd sg. hon.

você

2nd sg. hon.

- the politeness difference between tu and você isnot

very strong;

- etymologically derived from vossa merce ‘Your

honour’

vocês

2nd pl. hon.

- the old 2nd plural vós has been replaced byvocês

which triggers a 3rd person pl agreement on the verb;

- vós is still used in some regions and in the church

References