[General] Honorific & Self-deprecating Expressions in English

[thedaffodils]

Hello!

There're many honorific and self-deprecating expressions in the Mandarin(Chinese) language. In Chinese language, we use honorific word for 'you' when we talk with senior people or elders, or in formal occasion; but there's no such a comparable honorific word/ term for the English word of 'you'. And Chinese use self-deprcating terms when we introduce ourselves to people; for instance, a Chinese would introduce his son to his guest by saying, "This is my dog son", if translated literally. (Dog, in Chinese culture, refers to low or mean status)

But It seems to me there're just a few honorific or self-deprecating expressions in the English language. Mr/Ms/Miss, Sir, Ma'am, Your Honor, Your Holiness, Her Majesty, lady, gentleman are usual terms of honorific. "In my humble opinion" is a self-deprecating phrase. And native speakers tend to use subjunctive mood to express a kind of 'honorific'.

Apart from those, I am wondering whether there're any honorific or self-deprecating expressions in the English language. If yes, could you please give me more examples?

Thanks in advance!

[Anglika]

"In my humble opinion" [usually used when someone is being far from humble!]

[thedaffodils]

Hi Anglika, thanks for your reply.

[thedeebo]

In American English, there generally aren't any verbal honorific terms other than the ones you already described. At least not when using common English. In a courtroom, it might be a bit different.

As far as my experience is concerned, self-depreciating phrases are used when someone is being sarcastic or if they have made a mistake. They aren't used to introduce people. It would actually be insulting (to your son) to introduce him by comparing him to a dog, or it could be used to be humorous (depending on your sense of humor!).

I'm new, so tell me if I am giving the kind of information you actually need.

[beascarpetta]

I wonder whether

"to put in my two cents"
before stating one’s opinion [suggesting that one's opinion is of little value]

would have to be considered here as well.

[thedaffodils]

Hi Thedeebo,

Welcome to the forums. And thank you for your input. It's helpful.

Hope you enjoy your stay here. See you around.

[thedaffodils]

Originally Posted by beascarpetta

I wonder whether

"to put in my two cents"
before stating one’s opinion [suggesting that one's opinion is of little value]

would have to be considered here as well.

Hi Beascarpetta,

Thank you for uploading your two dollars.

[NanetteDee]

Originally Posted by thedaffodils

Hello!

There're many honorific and self-deprecating expressions in the Mandarin(Chinese) language. In Chinese language, we use honorific word for 'you' when we talk with senior people or elders, or in formal occasion; but there's no such a comparable honorific word/ term for the English word of 'you'. And Chinese use self-deprcating terms when we introduce ourselves to people; for instance, a Chinese would introduce his son to his guest by saying, "This is my dog son", if translated literally. (Dog, in Chinese culture, refers to low or mean status)

But It seems to me there're just a few honorific or self-deprecating expressions in the English language. Mr/Ms/Miss, Sir, Ma'am, Your Honor, Your Holiness, Her Majesty, lady, gentleman are usual terms of honorific. "In my humble opinion" is a self-deprecating phrase. And native speakers tend to use subjunctive mood to express a kind of 'honorific'.

Apart from those, I am wondering whether there're any honorific or self-deprecating expressions in the English language. If yes, could you please give me more examples?

Thanks in advance!

How very interesting! Thank you, dear Daffodil, for enlightening us on the specialties of the Chinese language. Even the term "self-depricating expressions" is new to me.
In the Russian language, there are similar expressions used in similar situations, except, upon introducing children, people don't call them names unless it is an informal meeting and people try to be funny.
I do believe, the Englsh language lacks this sort of expressions. Meanwhile, they make a conversation smoother, more flexible, better adjusted to the situation.
I wonder if such parentheses as "I think", "I believe", "I imagine", "As far as it concerns me", "To me,", "I guess", "I suppose", and a silly little word, "methinks" can be considered self-depricating...

[Anglika]

Originally Posted by NanetteDee

I wonder if such parentheses as "I think", "I believe", "I imagine", "As far as it concerns me", "To me,", "I guess", "I suppose", and a silly little word, "methinks" can be considered self-deprecating...

Yes - they are all self-deprecating, but also can indicate that the speaker does not wish to confront but merely to question something.

What's "silly" about methinks? A good although old-fashioned word!

[thedaffodils]

NanetteDee, thank you for your kind comment.

NanetteDee or Anglika, could you please explain why 'I think', 'I believe', 'methinks'...as NanetteDee listed are considered self-deprecating words.

I think it just stresses it is a personal viewpoint only. I don't count them into self-deprecating if they are in the Chinese language.

Many thanks!