IWTYAL 161: Should I Use Formal or Informal Language?

Chris asks: “Should I speak formally or informally in Turkish?”

In this episode:

• Every language has it's convention as to when and where you should speak formally or informally
• I've found myself resisting speaking formally in other languages, and I've always been curious why that is
• What I've learnt is that my “default” is informal, because that's the way we speak English
• Once you understand the cultural significance of formal and informal speech in the language you're learning, it will make your decision much easier

Japanese:

• Ultra polite: omeshi-agari ni narimasen ka
• Polite: meshi-agarimasen ka OR taberaremasen ka
• Normal: tabemasu ka
• Informal: taberu?

Spanish:

• Tú is standard in most places for speaking to someone your age or below
• But in Colombia, Usted is used within the family, as a cultural mark of respect and affection

French:

• “Je peux vous tutoyer?”

The problem in your case may be that you're not using Turkish enough to develop a gut feel for what is appropriate…

• Once you're using the language regularly, you'll get it!
• Remember that speaking politely, but with a warm smile, can be extremely endearing and doesn't have to be stiff
• Watch TV and movies and pay attention just to that
• A good rule of thumb is to use the polite form
• But it never really matters… you get a free pass as a foreigner!

Quote Of The Day:

Be polite; write diplomatically; even in a declaration of war one observes the rules of politeness.

-Otto von Bismarck

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Olly Richards

Creator of the StoryLearning® Method

Olly Richards is a renowned polyglot and language learning expert with over 15 years of experience teaching millions through his innovative StoryLearning® method. He is the creator of StoryLearning, one of the world's largest language learning blogs with 500,000+ monthly readers.

Olly has authored 30+ language learning books and courses, including the bestselling "Short Stories" series published by Teach Yourself.

When not developing new teaching methods, Richards practices what he preaches—he speaks 8 languages fluently and continues learning new ones through his own methodology.