Demokracja i grzeczność we współczesnym języku szwedzkim

Abstract

The author of this article aims at discussing the notion of linguistic democracy and presenting several significant manifestations of linguistic politeness in contemporary Swedish. The phenomenon of linguistic democracy has been illustrated using the examples of greeting and parting formulas, and addressative forms in Swedish. The term of linguistic politeness has been analysed on the examples of the usage of forms of the imperative and its equivalents, and thanking forms. The linguistic phenomena presented in this article are unambiguously indicative of the thesis concerning the existence of linguistic democracy in Swedish, and simultaneously they are unambiguously interpreted as courteous and polite. Both phenomena ought to be incorporated by the foreigners in both private and professional contacts. Their usage indicates a good knowledge of the language, culture, customs, and traditions of the particular society, which results in acceptance, appreciation, and proper, positive treatment from the native speakers.