Du-reformen

The Du- reform (Swedish: du- reform ) refers to a change in the use of personal pronouns in the salutation, which took place in Sweden during the 1960s and 1970s.

Reform

In the 1960s and 70s, the Swedes stopped to speak to them not known or older or higher in the hierarchy associated persons in the third person by name or title (such as " the Lord want some more tea ," meaning " you want some more tea " ), and went on to be generally valid Anredepronomen for you.

This reform is generally attributed Bror Rexed, Director of National Health and Welfare was then (Swedish: Socialstyrelsen ). On taking office in 1967, he said in his inaugural address that he would name basis all officials of that authority in the future. The reform, however, had already begun a few years earlier in the major Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter.

The Du- reform is generally regarded in Sweden as a democratic and egalitarian progress.

Background

Unlike in Germany or France for a long time no single specific personal pronouns had developed as a pronominal form of address in Sweden. First in the civil and court circles, then in the country, it was well into the 20th century in use from the mid-17th century, not to speak to an older or higher standing person with a pronoun, but only indirectly via their names or titles, example skulle fru Carlsson vilja hjälpa mig med det, literally? "? want Carlsson be there to help me " (instead of "Do you want me here to assist, [ Carlsson ] ?"), or Vad tycker professorn, literally?: "What does the professor? " (instead of "What do you think [ Professor ] ?") or Farfar water blek ut i dag; är farfar sjuk, literally: "Grandpa looks pale from today, is ill grandfather? " (instead of "You look pale today, [ grandfather ], are you sick ?").

The uncertainty as to which form of address unless to choose now, also led to many impersonal and passive constructions, such as Hur var namnet, literally: " What was the name? " (Instead of " What's your name ?") Or Önskas socker? , literally: " If desired sugar? " (instead of " Do you want sugar? ").

To replace this cumbersome salutation or bypassing a salutation by such a by continental European model, the so-called Ni- reform has been touted. One should will in future foreign, elderly and persons associated with higher appeal in the 2nd person plural: Vad tycker Ni, German: " What do you think? " The salutation by the second person plural (originally l, later due to improper removal of the verb ending -en then ni) can be already occupied in the 16th century, and the salutation by the increasingly outdated in some areas I was still in use in the 19th century. However, these proposed moves to introduce Ni as a general Anredepronomen, all failed. To talk to anyone with Ni, was and still is in some circles considered rude.

Due to the lack of an undoubted Title or Höflichkeitspronomens the salutation by you in Sweden was spread very common and widely at any time. Against this background, you reform was a big step less than you might think from the perspective of a German-speaking.

Current situation

The old polite form of address is still used today, for example, to members of the royal family: Aer det första Come Prinsen besöker Afghanistan, literally: " Is this the first time that the Prince Afghanistan visited? " ( German: " that you visit Afghanistan? "). It is also to meet beyond still possible, older and / or more parties by means of the traditional indirect address.

A certain Renaissance Ni experienced as polite Anredepronomen. Since the late 1980s, is observed in the service sector more frequent use of address in the second person plural, such as in restaurants or shops. In business letters the second person plural is not uncommon, even compared to individual entrepreneurs or individuals and are largely optional wrote: Vi tackar promote the order Ni Saènt oss, German: However, " Thank you for the order that you have sent us. " the application of ni as Höflichkeitspronomen still not undisputed.

Mandatory use of these Ni and even Prinsen is not in any case; you can use you here everywhere also.