who/what

#1 (**permalink**) 20-Jan-2005, 10:17

How are you?

I'd like to know the difference between "who you are" and "what you are"

1. My dear Mother. I love you and I respect you for who you are and what you are.

2. Art is a way of expressing yourself. Tell the world who you are and what you are.

Thank you in advance.

RonBee · #2 (**permalink**) 20-Jan-2005, 23:38

I think it is a case of emphasis by repetition (with a change (a small one) of one word. Who and what you are are frequently the same thing.

Casiopea · #3 (**permalink**) 21-Jan-2005, 06:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How are you?

I'd like to know the difference between "who you are" and "what you are"

1. My dear Mother. I love you and I respect you for who you are and what you are.

2. Art is a way of expressing yourself. Tell the world who you are and what you are.

Thank you in advance.

To me, and in that context, who refers to personal attributes (e.g., name, gender), whereas what refers to what you do (e.g., doctor, mother).

RonBee · #4 (**permalink**) 24-Jan-2005, 20:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Casiopea

To me, and in that context, who refers to personal attributes (e.g., name, gender), whereas what refers to what you do (e.g., doctor, mother).

Interesting. So, for example, who you are could be a kind, gentle person; and what you are could be a mother.


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