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

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

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

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

Winbert Hutahaean
Film God

Posts: 5468
From: Nouméa, New Caledonia
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 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?

--------------------
Winbert

| IP: Logged

Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted October 17, 2011 03:40 PM

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

-as in "We are not amused!"

--------------------
All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

| IP: Logged

Gerald Santana
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1060
From: Cottage Grove OR
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 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.

--------------------
http://lostandoutofprintfilms.blogspot.com/

| IP: Logged

Winbert Hutahaean
Film God

Posts: 5468
From: Nouméa, New Caledonia
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 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.

--------------------
Winbert

| IP: Logged

Claus Harding
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1149
From: Washington DC
Registered: Oct 2006

posted 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.

--------------------
"Why are there shots of deserts in a scene that's supposed to take place in Belgium during the winter?" (Review of 'Battle of the Bulge'.)

| IP: Logged

Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 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.

| IP: Logged

Gerald Santana
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1060
From: Cottage Grove OR
Registered: Dec 2010

posted 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!"?

--------------------
http://lostandoutofprintfilms.blogspot.com/

| IP: Logged

Graham Ritchie
Film God

Posts: 4001
From: New Zealand
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 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.

| IP: Logged

Mark L Barton
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 621
From: Bristol, South Glos, England
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 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

| IP: Logged

Jerome Sutter
Film Handler

Posts: 92
From: Bellwood, IL USA
Registered: Dec 2010

posted October 18, 2011 11:00 AM

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

| IP: Logged

Joe Caruso
Film God

Posts: 4105
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted October 18, 2011 04:25 PM

We do

| IP: Logged

Tommy Woods
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 146
From: Scouser
Registered: Feb 2011

posted 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

--------------------
Let there be light,so god created the projector

| IP: Logged

All times are Central

Printer-friendly view of this topic

UBB.classic^TM 6.3.1.2