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<DIV><FONT face=Verdana>My colleague Bruce Pearson and I, working on the Lenape (Delaware Indian language), have noted that this language, spoken in an egalitarian society, lacks many honorific terms. Pearson, who has previously studied Japanese, spoken in a society that traditionally has been highly stratified, has noted numerous honorifics.<BR><BR></FONT><FONT face=Verdana>As an example, the common reply In Lenape to "Wanģshi! (Thank you!)" is "Yuh!" which means something like "O.K.!" There is no exact term for "You're welcome!"</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Verdana></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Verdana>We have also had inquiries about how to say "Welcome!" in the sense of welcoming someone to your home. The usual word used is "Tėmike! (Come in!)."</FONT> <FONT face=Verdana> When speakers have been pressed to say something more like "Welcome!" the usually have to create a sentence like "Nulelintąm eli paan! (I am glad that you came!)." </FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Verdana>We wonder if other members of this list have equated the lack of honorific terms in a language they speak or work with to that language being used in a more egalitarian society?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Verdana></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Verdana>Jim Rementer</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="11"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="11">Lenape Language Project<BR>The Delaware Tribe<BR>220 NW Virginia Avenue<BR>Bartlesville OK 74003<BR>918-336-5272, ext. 503 (work)<BR></FONT></DIV>
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