The difference between "Du" and "Sie"

The main difference between Du and Sie is that they are used formally and informally. Du is when you are more familiar with someone and they have given you permission to address them informally. Sie is used for someone you do not know as well, such as someone elderly or someone who is in a higher position than you at work. This can cause confusion because it can be hard to tell whether or not you can address someone with "Du" or "Sie." It would be very bad if you addressed someone informally, when you should not. Even though in German it can be confusing, it is still similar in other countries. We also address our elders or people we do not know with Mr./Mrs, because we do not want to disrespect anyone. It is easier in English because if we do incorrectly address someone, it would not be that offensive, where in German it would be a huge mistake. However, it is believed Germans have become more flexible with the use of  "Du" and "Sie." It would definitely be easier if we did not have to make these different distinctions, but is the way of their culture and it would be best not to offend anybody.

 http://www.dw.de/the-du-sie-dilemma-in-german/a-16494631

Sie and Du

In most cultures you are taught to always speak formally to elders and persons' of higher station. In America, we usually do this by referring to them by their last name and adding Mr. or Ms./Mrs. For example, your math professor's last name is Smith. When speaking to your professor you will either refer to them as professor Smith or Mr. Ms/Mrs. Smith. In Germany, they will use "Sie" when talking to a person of importance and use "du" when speaking to family members or friends. If you are using "Sie" you are speaking formally and if you are using "du" you are speaking informally. Until the person gives you their permission to use "du" when speaking to them, you must always use "sie" in a conversation.

Work Cited

http://www.pimsleurapproach.com/resources/german/grammar-guides/formal-informal/

http://www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic55311.html

Sie und du

Although German has a clearer separation between formally and informally addressing people, the formality in English language is often overlooked. German uses words such as Sie and du, the later being more formal and used when talking to adults, educators, and anyone who may stand at a higher position. Other words may be added when speaking, such as Frau (Misses), and Herr (Mister). Along with titles, last names may also be used.
Titles in English are not unheard of, in fact, and can be used quite often as well. English also may narrow down titles into more specific categories like Ms., Mrs., Mr., and Dr. Coming from the English language, when using titles and addressing someone by their last name can be looked at as being polite, rather than in the German language as being necessary to use and rude if not used (german.about.com). When first meeting someone, in German, a distinction must be made on whether or not to use formal or informal you. English may even waver back and forth between the two, and unless specified, formally addressing someone happens more rarely.

Du and Sie

 The interaction between people in German speaking countries seems to be different between bosses and employees. Another difference would be between elders and younger people.  It is different from America because the lines of familiarity are clearly drawn. In the young German people now, the lines of formality are starting to become more blurry. The formal words are supposed to be used for elders and for bosses. The informal "du" is supposed to be used for friends and family. We express the same differences with the words like "Mr." and "Mrs". Other ways that respect is shown is through body language and how they talk to each other. The person that is considered the elder or in a higher social position is the one to suggest that they switch to the informal "du". It is insulting if the formal "Sie" is not used when its supposed to be, then the elder will offended.

Sources:

http://www.languageexcellence.net/wordpress/2011/02/12/du-or-sie/

http://www.dw.de/the-du-sie-dilemma-in-german/a-16494631

du or Sie?

As it turns out, the dilema many beginner German students face when deciding whether du or Sie is appropriate, is not a foreign problem even to native German speakers.  Just like the English language and every other language, German is constantly evolving.  Thankfully, there are still some constants to the rule.  Germans must always adress their elders as "Sie" unless they are given consent to do otherwise.  However, in the workplace, age does not matter, company rank does.  The plot really begins to twist when you start to travel around different regions of Germany.  In Hamburg, a boss may use an employee's first name (informal) and "Sie" (formal) in addressing them. However, in Bavaria it is the opposite.  A boss will use a last  name (formal) in conjunction with "du" (informal).  Overall, the use of "du" is becoming more and more flexible than it was previously.   It is offen used as a marketing strategy to give the effect of community and friendship with customers. Obviously, Germans place a lot more emphasis on the specific words to convey a message than English-speakers.  English users are still able to distinguish different levels of formality by polishing up their manners.  (or not) Respect is shown by using correct grammer as well as many other nonverbal actions such as posture, dress, etc.  A casual atmosphere is usually accompanied by slang terms, relaxed posture, and comfortable clothes.

Works Cited

http://www.dw.de/the-du-sie-dilemma-in-german/a-16494631

Du vs. Sie - Aaron Hodges

Unlike Americans, Germans have two very different variations of saying the extremely common word you.  There is a formal way Sie, and a informal version Du.  Wrong usage of these two different variations seems like it would be an easy mistake to make.  Only you may offend someone very easily by doing this.  For example it is acceptable for  teacher to use du when talking to a student which is the more casual form. On the other side of the spectrum the student would address the teacher as Sie because that shows respect and seniority.  This informal you and formal you can sometimes be a difficult concept to grasp for new german speakers.  More often then not when a german talks to a foreigner who is not sure which variation of you to use with the native speaker they will wait and even avoid saying you until they hear the native german speaker use the acceptable variation. They do this to make sure they do not make a bad impression and offend them.  In America It relates to when someone calls a elder Mr. and when the mister feels comfortable enough with the person they say please call me Aaron or what ever they're fist name may be.  It seems to me that the formal and informal ways of saying you makes it a lot easier for germans to offend each other. - Aaron Hodges

Du, Ihr, and Sie

Hey you! You there! How are you doing? These three phrases can all have drastically different meanings due to the tone or expression while using them. One thing they all have in common is their singular uses of the word you. The author of the article “German You, -Du, Ihr, Sie.”, by Ingrid Bauer, reminded us that Modern English is the only Indo-European language that has only one form of you, unlike our lingual cousin German. In Germany you can tell who the person is talking to by the form of you they use. If the person speaking is using the form du or ihr, it is safe to assume they are talking to someone close to them or it is an adult speaking to a child. If you are talking to anyone else you must use the formal form of the word you, Sie. In America you cannot always determine whether the two people talking are acquaintances or close friends by the use of you. When one person is talking to a person in a higher social position you can generally tell from their tone and posture. Although we only have one form of the word you, we can still use it to mean different things just like our lingual cousins, the Germans. 

Work Cited:

Bauer, Ingrid. "German You - Du, Ihr, Sie." About.com German Language. About.com, n.d. Web. 29                   Aug. 2013.

Guten abend! So this week we explored the dilemma of formal Sie and informal du. Unlike in The United States, Germany has two ways to say "you". This can cause a bit of confusion for foreigners. The use of Sie is primarily used within the business world and with strangers. Du is typically used with friends and family. However, according to dw website, (http://www.dw.de/the-du-sie-dilemma-in-german/a-16494631) even when invited to use a first name within the business realm, Sie is still the proper way to say "you". I found this to be very interesting. In our country we do have formalities such as: Ms. Mr. Sir and Ma'am. Unlike America though, it seems if the Germans are making it easier for one to offend another. Probably not helping the aggressive stereotype the German language receives. ~ John McAfee

Alex Ruhlman- Du und Sie

In the German language, there are two different ways to say the word "you".  There is the informal version, or "du", and there is the formal version, or "sie".  The difference is that the "du" version is reserved to be used for people who you know to whom you have informal or comfortable relationships.  Additionally, the formal "sie" version is used on people to whom you have professional and formal relationships.  For example, it wouldn't necessarily be appropriate or polite to use the "du" version when you are talking to someone of authority, such as a boss, a police officer, or even a stranger if they happen to be older than you, especially if it hasn't already been offered.  In the same regard, it would seem odd to say hello to friends or family by using the "sie" version.  In English, we have only one version of the word "you", for a few reasons.  First, most of the time when you are speaking to someone their title or status compared to yours will act as an unwritten guide as to how you address them.  Usually, simply using Mr./Ms, or Mrs. or other titles will be respectful enough, at least until that person allows you to call them by their first name.  Secondly, in the English language there isn't as much emphasis placed on how you address someone as there is in the German language, where it might be extremely impolite to use the wrong version of "you".  So, in German it is very important that you use the correctly use "du" and "sie" whereas in English it isn't as strongly emphasized because English speakers use the form of "you" mostly based on the unwritten context of whatever conversation or relationship where the word "you" is being used.

Works Cited

1. http://www.toytowngermany.com/lofi/index.php/t2005.html
2. http://www.komma-net.de/sekretariat/artikel/is-there-a-difference-between-du-and-sie-in-english/

Sie and du

In German, there is both the formal and informal versions of saying you. In the United States, we have the one, but know the difference in respect when we are addressing our superiors and when we are addressing our equals. The German use of the informal du, is towards friends and family, whereas the formal Sie, is used when addressing superiors, strangers, and those demand respect such as a boss or stranger. Sie is used in conversation unless stated otherwise, much like in the US, when we use Mr. and Mrs. with the last name of the individual we are addressing, which is also seen in German. Sie is also used when addressing an elder. In German, respect is a large part of speech, much like in America, but the overall manner of addressing strangers, may differ. In German, the formal Sie is used until stated otherwise, but in English, a stranger may be addressed in many ways, some nice and formal, but some not so nice or formal. The most commonly used is Sie, because du is reserved for friends and family. The transition from Sie to du, is proposed by the more respected person. For example, a child and parent are speaking, the parent would offer not the child. I think the formality of the German language is something we need in most countries, even if it is only a formality, it adds an aspect of respect between speakers. The shift between Sie and du, can influence an entire conversation.

Sources: http://german.stackexchange.com/questions/6798/what-is-the-polite-way-to-ask-if-i-should-talk-in-sie-or-du-terms-with-the-p

http://german.about.com/library/anfang/blanfang02.htm

http://bibliobrary.net/2010/01/04/when-to-use-du-and-sie/

du and Sie

     As native English speakers, we all understand the differences between calling our elders by their title or calling them by their first name. There is an unspoken boundary between using family names (also known as last names) and using personal names (also known as first names), and this boundary is present, even if we do not acknowledge it outside of addressing the other individual.
     In Germany, the distinction goes beyond merely addressing the other person, but also when speaking to them. This is carried on using the two 'versions' of the English word "you" which are "du" and "Sie". The informal version, "du", is how one would address their friends, family, and other individuals close to them. The formal version, "Sie", would be used in situations where you are first meeting, in a workplace, or in situations where someone has not announced that they are comfortable with you using "du".
     In America, a popular example would be television. In my favorite television show, Criminal Minds, this can be seen with the character Dr. Spencer Reid. He engages in many conversations with others, including co-workers, friends, and family members. When addressing his boss, he calls him "Gideon" which is his last name, and his boss will address him as "Spencer" or even "Doctor Reid". In Germany, this would basically be how the elder member (the boss) would address the younger member with "du" or "Sie" because he can, and how the younger would address the older with "Sie" because he should. Dr. Spencer Reid also speaks with Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer Jareau. They are friends, and therefore address each other as "Spence" and "JJ". This would compare with how Germans would address their friends with "du" and not with "Sie".

Sources:

Criminal Minds; Television Show created by Jeff Davis
Language Realm

du and Sie

     In Germany, when two people have a conversation they use certain words to distinguish between a formal and informal conversation. In America, the only words to distinct formal or informal mainly lies in the use of Mr. and Ms./Mrs.. However, the typical formal English is found in books, speeches, and news reports. Whereas informal English is used in personal conversations where grammar rules can be used as "guidelines" rather than actual rules. German speakers will use "du" when talking to their family members, friends at school, and their neighbors. But, they will use "Sie" when speaking to people of a higher social status or person of import. For example, an elder, a president/ prime minister, teacher, boss, or even colleague. Unless the person gives permission for the other to use "du", "Sie" must be used when they are talking.

Works Cited:
1) http://www.antimoon.com/how/formal-informal-english.htm
2) http://www.pimsleurapproach.com/resources/german/grammar-guides/formal-informal/

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