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In the first person, the English word ''I'' can be translated as either '''na''' (NOM.1s.ACS) or '''nu''' (NOM.1s.ICS). Using '''na''' signals to the listener "I am accessible to you." This means the speaker feels close and emotionally open to the listener and physical contact is permitted or even welcome. Using '''nu''' informs the listener that physical contact is not welcome at the current time. This is typically because of emotional distance, such as when talking to strangers, casual acquaintances or people whom the speaker does not like, but it may also signal an unwillingness to be touched for other, often fleeting reasons, such as illness, pain or emotional tension. Between close friends and lovers, suddenly switching to '''nu''' may indicate that the speaker has taken offence at something. | In the first person, the English word ''I'' can be translated as either '''na''' (NOM.1s.ACS) or '''nu''' (NOM.1s.ICS). Using '''na''' signals to the listener "I am accessible to you." This means the speaker feels close and emotionally open to the listener and physical contact is permitted or even welcome. Using '''nu''' informs the listener that physical contact is not welcome at the current time. This is typically because of emotional distance, such as when talking to strangers, casual acquaintances or people whom the speaker does not like, but it may also signal an unwillingness to be touched for other, often fleeting reasons, such as illness, pain or emotional tension. Between close friends and lovers, suddenly switching to '''nu''' may indicate that the speaker has taken offence at something. | ||
In the second and third persons, accessibility indicates the the referent's ''perceived'' accessibility ''to the speaker''. Using '''ua''' (NOM.2s.ACS) indicates that the speaker assumes he or she may touch the listener. Using '''vu''' (NOM.2s.ICS) indicates either a more respectful or colder social distance (cf. French "vous", which, coincidentally, sounds identical). In the third person, '''ja''' (NOM.3s.ACS.DEF) and '''ju''' (NOM.3s.ICS.DEF) indicate the speaker's relationship to the referent. In plural, accessible indicates that ''all'' members of the group are accessible. Even one individual who the speaker regards as inaccessible, will cause the group to be marked as inaccessible. | In the second and third persons, accessibility indicates the the referent's ''perceived'' accessibility ''to the speaker''. Using '''ua''' (NOM.2s.ACS) indicates that the speaker assumes he or she may touch the listener. Using '''vu''' (NOM.2s.ICS) indicates either a more respectful or colder social distance (cf. French "vous", which, coincidentally, sounds identical). In the third person, '''ja''' (NOM.3s.ACS.DEF) and '''ju''' (NOM.3s.ICS.DEF) indicate the speaker's relationship to the referent. In plural, accessible indicates that ''all'' members of the group are accessible. Even one individual who the speaker regards as inaccessible, will cause the group to be marked as inaccessible. Inaccessibility is thus the 'default' and when speaking of generic or unknown individuals, these will be indicated with inaccessible nominals. | ||
Accessibility produces four speech modes. In situations between peers of equal rank, generally the speech mode with either be accessible (using accessible nominals in both first and second persons) or inaccessible (using inaccessible nominals in both). In situations of unequal dominance, which generally, but do not always, run along lines of rank, the dominant party speaks in the dominant mode, using inaccessible first person nominals and accessible second person nominals. The subordinate party speaks in the subordinate or submissive mode, using the reverse. | Accessibility produces four speech modes or 'stances'. In situations between peers of equal rank, generally the speech mode with either be accessible (using accessible nominals in both first and second persons) or inaccessible (using inaccessible nominals in both). In situations of unequal dominance, which generally, but do not always, run along lines of rank, the dominant party speaks in the dominant mode, using inaccessible first person nominals and accessible second person nominals. The subordinate party speaks in the subordinate or submissive mode, using the reverse. | ||
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The speech mode used depends not only on who the speaker and listener are to one another, but how they feel about each other in that moment. A friend or lover who is deeply offended may suddenly switch to the inaccessible or dominant mode to indicate that they are now not happy and had better not be touched until the offence is resolved. The submissive mode may be used in order to flirt with an acquaintance. Flirting may be met with the accessible or inaccessible modes, which essentially give an answer. No answer (yet) is signalled by the adoption of the dominant mode. | The speech mode used depends not only on who the speaker and listener are to one another, but how they feel about each other in that moment. A friend or lover who is deeply offended may suddenly switch to the inaccessible or dominant mode to indicate that they are now not happy and had better not be touched until the offence is resolved. The submissive mode may be used in order to flirt with an acquaintance. Flirting may be met with the accessible or inaccessible modes, which essentially give an answer. No answer (yet) is signalled by the adoption of the dominant mode. Smooth social interactions are ensured by the concordance of speech modes, ACS↔ACS, ICS↔ICS, DOM↔SUB. Conflict is often caused by the refusal to agree or by physical contact with someone marked in speech as inaccessible. | ||
Examples of the four speech modes in use. | Examples of the four speech modes in use. | ||