the questions of our times: formality and vampires

[rm]

This, thanks to a discussion started by weirdquark. Please do visit the comments where you will learn many things including the many ways formality is structured in different languages (something my questions did not fully take into account, and I apologize for that), werewolf pack dynamics considerations, and whether there are vampires in France.

[Poll #1601631]

Comments

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

With werewolves, definitely use the informal. They're *dogs*. Don't show fear or submission, show dominance!

[torenheksje.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't stop to have actual conversations with any supernatural beasties. I'd be too busy running in the opposite direction.

[torenheksje.livejournal.com]

P.S. Only YOU would have a poll like this.

[rm.livejournal.com]

ISN"T IT AWESOME?

[shadowvalkyrie.livejournal.com]

My inner language geek adores this poll. Seriously, it's brilliant.

[soukup.livejournal.com]

IKR? This entry makes me so happy. *glee*

[hab318princess.livejournal.com]

I've tried to approach this from a background with a language with formal word forms - was actually surprised that the grammar aspect did not come into it as I first thought

[sykii.livejournal.com]

You don't want to use the formal with a kobold. If it understands you at all, it will just think you're putting on airs.

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

I like this one!

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

FTW.

[msp-hacker.livejournal.com]

I would use the answer I used for vampires, with the exception of fairies. Unless they actually say "Call me Bob!" I am using formal grammar because fairies fuck your shit up. For fun.

[ladyaelfwynn.livejournal.com]

It depends on the supernatural creature, their age, and cognitive ability. Zombies informal, Nosreatu formal. Weres - very confusing. Age and ability to eat you factors highly. Ghost kids, informal, Nearly Headless Nick, formal. Someone really ought to write a book. ;-p

[shadowvalkyrie.livejournal.com]

No, you have to be extra polite, to appeal to their human side!

(Unless they're already transformed, in which case you should try skipping the informal stage and go right for Meaningless Babble Of General Goodwill -- "Who's a fine doggy-dog? My werry-wolfy-fuzzy-kins is! Now, does my fuzzy-wuzzy lovey want a bone?" -- you may even get a nice cuddle out of that. Also, a lot of slobber.)

[sethg]

For some reason, the sentence “we all live at fangspoint” is now running through my head.

[hoyland54.livejournal.com]

Vampires and ghosts have the added wrinkle that their age is fixed. Is an old child vampire a child or are they older than you? Though I suppose the maturity level of vampires is fixed along with their age, so perhaps they're clearly children.

[filkerdave.livejournal.com]

Presumably, in the case of fairies, it would be "Yes Sir, Mr. Bob!" (Or "Yes, ma'am, Ms. Bob," depending on the fairy)

[pantryslut.livejournal.com]

don't tempt.

[sevendayloan.livejournal.com]

I try to be polite to anything that might eat me. Like vampires. Or bears.

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

Heh, a little like the lyrics to "Never Smile at a Crocodile".

[msp-hacker.livejournal.com]

Except when fairies like to pretend they are just one of the guys/girls/people and just want to call them Bob. Because, if you don't, they'll light your hair on fire or something.

[spiderine.livejournal.com]

I respectfully disagree. Even in human form, werewolves are creatures of instinct. They're hierarchical animals and respect strength. At least *try* the dominant stance first; then, if you realize you're against an alpha, *then* submit.

As for ghosts, it depends who the ghost was in life. Formal if an old-fashioned adult person, informal if a child or modern contemporary.

[xtricks.livejournal.com]

Hrm. I wouldn't use formal or informal; I'd shoot 'em in the face. Or, well, stake 'em in the heart. Or decapitate! Decapitate works on everyone(almost)!

[juliansinger.livejournal.com]

Werewolf: Nope.

Elf: Yep.

Faerie: Depends on the type of fairy, but generally, yes. Courtesy's fairly vital.

Ghost: Depends on the ghost.

Zombie: Goodness no.

[archmage-brian.livejournal.com]

It all depends on how they want to be addressed, and some things may not be apparent at a glance. For example, do they have a vampire doctorate?

[silmaril.livejournal.com]

Native language Turkish; definitely has the formal/informal distinction. In the vampire case, age first and then degree of acquaintance would determine the usage, and to start with it would be formal by default. In the ghost case, likewise. Werewolves aren't necessarily that much older than me, I assume, so degree of acquaintance would make the decision.