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Social: Vaisnava etiquette specific for some languages (German, French, Spanish, Slavic languages ...)?

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    • CommentAuthorBaker
    • CommentTimeDec 3rd 2009
     
    Greetings.


    Some languages have the so-called T-V Distinction (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-V_distinction). So in German, it is distinguished whether to refer to someone with "du" or "Sie", or "tu" and "vous" in French, "ty" and "vy" in Russian, and so on.
    In English, however, usually a generic "you" is used when referring to someone.

    How do devotees who communicate in those languages with the T-V distinction incoroporate this distinction into their Vaisnava etiquette?
    Do you refer to senior devotees with Sie/vous/vy/..., or with du/tu/ty/...?
    How do you refer to God - with Sie/vous/vy/..., or with du/tu/ty/...?


    Thank you for your replies.
    •  
      CommentAuthorVEDA
    • CommentTimeDec 3rd 2009
     
    In Czech T for all, Krsna included. Sometimes exceptions are seen in VP offerings.
    In Russian V for all but the closest friends. (My limited experience.)

    Therefore I like English. I pray in English, btw.
    •  
      CommentAuthorccd
    • CommentTimeDec 4th 2009
     
    In English we tranlate bengali tomara (T) to God (instead of apnara V in bengali) as Thou. It is both way to God and from God to His devotee. Based on Victorian English of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati:

    “O Thou Krishna! O Ye Restorer of the fallen! Thine eternal servant though I am, I am cast into the deep abyss of the world and am badly dashed from shore to shore by its frowning waves of troubles and tribulations. Take me up, O my Lord! to the shade of the cool dust of Thy Lotus Feet! O, have mercy on this wretched self!!” (Nama bhajan)



    Whom-so-ever thou meet’st,
    instruct him regarding Krsna,
    By My command being Guru deliver this land;
    In this thou wilt not be obstructed
    by the current of the world;
    Thou wilt have My company once again
    at this place.” (Responsibility of being a Guru)
    • CommentAuthorBaker
    • CommentTimeDec 4th 2009 edited
     
    VEDA:In Czech T for all, Krsna included. Sometimes exceptions are seen in VP offerings. In Russian V for all but the closest friends. (My limited experience.)
    Therefore I like English. I pray in English, btw.
    How come you therefore like English? What philosophical or practical considerations underlie your preference of English?
    In Czech, did you start with the T-V distinction, but at some point gave it up? If so, how come, based on what considerations?
    Do you use (began using) the T based on a sense of equality or familiarity with the devotees?

    I am finding myself quite puzzled over this. For example, in Slovene translations of conversations between Srila Prabhupada and the devotees, the devotees are addressing him with T. I am wondering what reasoning underlies such a choice.
    •  
      CommentAuthorVEDA
    • CommentTimeDec 4th 2009
     
    Practicality in this point (and others) - no need to try to figure out how to call others. It's straightforward.

    No, earliest Czech devotees started with T, afaik.

    Out of friendship and spiritual equality. This doesn't preclude respect to seniors though.
    • CommentAuthorBaker
    • CommentTimeDec 5th 2009
     
    Do seniors not feel disrespected if they are addressed with T by juniors/inferiors?
    •  
      CommentAuthorVEDA
    • CommentTimeDec 5th 2009
     
    No. Personally I always request it from juniors.

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