8mm Forum: Any English speakers prefer to use "We" instead of "I" when referring them selves?

This is topic Any English speakers prefer to use "We" instead of "I" when referring them selves? in forum General Yak at 8mm Forum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://8mmforum.film-tech.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=001959

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on October 17, 2011, 03:36 PM:

I don't know if this happen in English (no matter US or UK speaker), but it happen in several languages that people use "we" instead of "I" while the speakers are actually referring to him/her self.

For example, "I can fix this machine", but instead the speaker saying "We can fix this machine".

If this happen, can you tell me what is the reason of saying that?

Posted by Steve Klare (Member # 12) on October 17, 2011, 03:40 PM:

Isn't that usually called "The Royal We"?

-as in "We are not amused!"

Posted by Gerald Santana (Member # 2362) on October 17, 2011, 04:57 PM:

Hi Winbert,

It is used as a literary device called Illeism, or the act of referring to oneself in the third person instead of the more appropriate first person.

Here is a wikipedia entry for other uses as well:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illeism

I use "we" occasionally, referring to myself and family though.

Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on October 17, 2011, 05:11 PM:

Hi Gerard, many thanks.

Woow, previously I thought it happened only in my original culture but apparently it also happens in more developed society.

Posted by Claus Harding (Member # 702) on October 17, 2011, 05:16 PM:

Yes, "We" is generally a joke when you refer to yourself, unless you are the Queen of England (or you perhaps have multiple personalities [Big Grin]

)

Claus.

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on October 17, 2011, 05:29 PM:

Hi Winbert

I use the word "I" when refering to myself eg I can do this or I can do that. Using the word "we" meaning its more than I.. eg we can do that. Years ago I was learning to fly the instructor would say "yes" I would say "I"...say yes [Mad]

...I..say yes....I.. and so it would go on [Smile]

being a bit Scottish we also use the word "I" for yes.

In some parts of England they might say "I by goom lad"

Winbert best of luck trying to figure the English language out I cant [Smile]

Graham.

Posted by Gerald Santana (Member # 2362) on October 17, 2011, 05:48 PM:

Speaking of multiple personalties, The Great Seal of the U.S has an eagle holding a banner on it's beak that reads: E pluribus unum. It was considered a de facto motto of the United States until 1956, it's meaning is "Out of many...one".

And lets not forget Rastafarian's constantly use the phrase, "I, Mon". Mon means Man and "One". English is a web of word games.

Another way I look at Illeism, is as the voice of the body of sovereignty. Different cultures respectably have different ideas about sovereignty. Perhaps that is why we joke about it, like "The Royal We" Steve and Claus mention or use it as a protective literal device, "We want our money back!"?

Posted by Graham Ritchie (Member # 559) on October 18, 2011, 02:14 AM:

The Queen often refers to "my husband and I" in her speech. [Smile]

By the way, in Scotland its also the way you say "I" that counts. If you say "I" with a angry voice it means you are [Mad]

...If you say "I" with a [Smile]

then thats different again. A few years ago we had a Russian work with us and his use of the English language used to make me [Smile]

far worse than mine.

Graham.

Posted by Mark L Barton (Member # 1512) on October 18, 2011, 10:42 AM:

OK, as a Brit English speaker I'll throw into the pot the word, WHOM, and its relation to the word WHO, ie To WHOM it may concern etc etc Plus the reference to the self as ONE, ie 'One does understand what you are saying' as oppossed to 'I understand what you are saying' Perhaps we should all speak Esperanto instead??? Cheers

Posted by Jerome Sutter (Member # 2346) on October 18, 2011, 11:00 AM:

And let's not forget the saying: "Me, Myself, and I."

Posted by Joe Caruso (Member # 11) on October 18, 2011, 04:25 PM:

We do

Posted by Tommy Woods (Member # 2437) on October 18, 2011, 06:27 PM:

Just thought "one" should give his pennies worth,on this side if the pond,unless your the Queen or a member of her family,to refer to onesself as "one" (as I have) or "we", isn't really socially acceptable,and is usually regarded with derision,especially here in the North

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2