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Politeness

1 min read · 138 words

Unlike English, Celestial has five politeness levels to remember when writing or speaking. These are important to not make yourself sound like a fool when you’re speaking in a formal setting, or, conversely, to not seem too posh in casual situations.

Formal: Used when speaking to your elders or betters, or when speaking in any formal setting (e.g. a fancy dinner party).

Mi-k
1-NOM.FRML
hefkel-e
converse-SMP.PST
det
to
Karlos
Karlos
mehok
yesterday
honaj.
night

‘I spoke to Charlos last night.’

Neutral: Used when speaking to your equals or in most general contexts.

Mi
1;NOM;NTR
hefkel-e
talk-SMP.PST
no-a
2-ACC.NTR
mehok
yesterday
honaj.
night

‘I talked to you last night.’

Casual: Used when speaking to people you’re familiar with, such as your friends, or when you’re at home.

Mi-r
1-NOM.CASL
hefkel-e
chat-SMP.PST
ajem
with
mi-er
1-DEPGEN.CASL
cerej
friend
mehok
yesterday
honaj.
night

‘I chatted with my friend last night.’

Intimate: Used when speaking to family members, romantic partners, and the like, or in other private settings such as the bedroom.

Mi-d
1-NOM.INTM
hefkel-e
talk-SMP.PST
mi-dil
1-DEPGEN.INTM
ynivik
wife
mehok
yesterday
honaj.
night

‘I talked to my wife last night.’

Vulgar: The realm of slang and degradation, as well as speaking in all ways rude and crude. Be careful using words that have this formality!

Mi-j
1-NOM.VULG
amifel-e
swear-SMP.PST
te
at
hij-aj
3.M.ABS-ACC.VULG
mehok
yesterday
honaj.
night

‘I swore at him last night.’