35.1297, Fun Fact: Reflexives in Hindi

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-35-1297. Wed Apr 24 2024. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 35.1297, Fun Fact: Reflexives in Hindi

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Date: 24-Apr-2024
From: Natasha Singh [singhnat at linguistlist.org]
Subject: Fun Fact: Reflexives in Hindi


Greetings to all LINGUIST List readers,

Once again, we're back to offer another round of Fun Facts that are
sure to spark your curiosity and add a linguistic flair to your day!

Reflexives add a special twist to how we talk about actions and
ownership, acting like a linguistic mirror, reflecting back the action
to the one who's doing it. Hindi employs a diverse range of linguistic
tools to convey the intricate dynamics of self-reference, ranging from
reflexive verbs to pronouns and adjectives. Let's break it down.

At the core of reflexive constructions in Hindi are reflexive
pronouns. These little words like आप (aap - you/your), अपने आप (apne
aap - on your own), खुद (khud - self), and स्वयं/स्वयम (svayam - self)
point right back to the person doing the action. आप/अपने आप and खुद
are buddies you'll hear a lot, especially in everyday chats, while
स्वयं is more like the fancy cousin, showing up in formal situations.
And hey, don't forget अपने (apne - own) , the sidekick of आप (aap -
your), always sticking around.

These pronouns are versatile; unlike some languages where reflexive
forms change depending on the person, Hindi maintains the same form
"अपना" (apna - own) for all persons. Additionally, they slot neatly
into sentences, typically appearing right after the subject and before
the verb, as in:
राम       ने      अपनी    किताब    पढ़ी
Ram    ne      apni    kitaab    padhi
Ram  [nom]   own     book     read
Ram   read    his      own       book

To emphasize the reflexivity of an action, both the reflexive pronoun
"अपना" (apna - own) and the possessive pronoun corresponding to the
subject can be used. For example:
उसने    अपनी   खुद      की     मदद      की
Usne   apni    khud    ki      madad   ki
He      own     self    [gen]   help      do
He    helped   himself

In everyday conversations in India, especially when being polite or
respectful, using reflexives is a subtle way to show harmony and
respect for social hierarchy. For instance, instead of saying "your"
(तुम्हारा - tumhara) directly, people often use "अपना" (apna - own) to
be polite, like when someone says -
कृपया       मुझे      अपना   नाम      बताएं
Kripaya  mujhe   apna   naam   batayein
Please   me       own     name    tell
Please   tell        me      your      name
Here, "अपना" (apna) acknowledges the listener's ownership of their
name, making the conversation more respectful and friendly. It's just
one of those little ways we show politeness and friendliness in Indian
culture.

Reflexive verbs, another integral aspect of Hindi grammar, denote
actions performed by the subject upon itself, effectively merging the
action and the receiver into one. So, when you say -
वह     अपने   दोस्तों        से      मिलना   चाहता      है
vah   apne   doston     se    milna    chahta   hai
He    own    friends    [abl]   meet     want      is
He   wants   to   meet   his  friends
you're basically saying "He wants to meet up with his buddies," but
with that extra "himself" / "his own" vibe.

And let's not forget reflexive adjectives! These words team up with
the subject, showing who's got what. Like when you say -
प्रकाश           ने       अपना     खाना     खाया
Prakash      ne       apna    khana   khaya
Prakash    [nom]    own     food      ate
Prakash     ate       his       own     food
you're telling a tale of Prakash munching on his own food, no sharing
involved.

In everyday talk, reflexives aren't just about grammar; they're about
how we see ourselves and our connections with others. Whether it's
talking about what we do, who we are, or what we've got, reflexives
help us tell our stories in Hindi, adding that personal touch to our
language.

So next time you're chatting away in Hindi, pay attention to those
little words like "आप," "अपने आप," "खुद," and "स्वयं." They might be
small, but they pack a punch, adding that personal touch that makes
your language uniquely yours.

Thank you for your time.

As you ponder over this Fun Fact, please take a moment to contemplate
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The LINGUIST List Team



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