Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar
Register Help/FAQ Community Calendar Today's Posts Search PenpalsTranslator


2nd-person plural used when addressing one person

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old June 18, 2012, 01:58 PM
TomásGA TomásGA is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2
Native Language: American English
TomásGA is on a distinguished road
2nd-person plural used when addressing one person

In reading historical novels, I often see the 2nd-person plural (informal) used when the person speaking is obviously addressing just one person. Was this common in "historical" times? The writing is contemporary Spanish but the usage seems archaic.
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old June 18, 2012, 02:10 PM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,101
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
You can check here and here some previous discussions on this topic.
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old June 18, 2012, 05:27 PM
TomásGA TomásGA is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 2
Native Language: American English
TomásGA is on a distinguished road
¡Gracias! No he podido encontrar algo en la historia de la lengua castellano sobre el uso de sois, habéis, decís etc. como singular formal.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old June 19, 2012, 03:50 PM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,101
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
I don't know if there is any material in English about it, but in Spanish you can search book titles like "historia de la gramática española" or "historia del español".
And there is a little historical note on the use of "vos" and "vosotros", in the Real Academia Española's grammar manual, the "Nueva Gramática de la Lengua Española".
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
The second person plural Jane Grammar 10 April 18, 2011 09:28 AM
To pull a person's ears? jan Idioms & Sayings 10 November 25, 2010 03:58 AM
What verb conjugation to use with 2nd person plural subject laepelba Grammar 3 January 24, 2010 08:45 AM
3rd person singular only...... hola Grammar 4 February 14, 2009 11:26 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:39 PM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X