Friday, July 27, 2012

Third person speech

Question: An issue that I have struggled with from time to time is the issue of the third person speech. It has a very forced feel to it, so much so that I tend to do everything I can to avoid it. Are there ways you have advised your slaves to practice this, or is it something learned simply by using it in conversation?

Answer:

Article 26.5 of the code states that continuity and fluid speech is more important than strict formality. If certain ways of speaking seem forced and are uncomfortable to the extent that you avoid them, you should relax the rules and speak naturally. The Code says:

26.5. - Continuity more important than formality
All players should employ proper titles in all appropriate scenes in a natural, plain and unaffected way. Continuity and ease are more valuable than a strict formality.

Slaves are to avoid the first person in speech. Here are the relevant articles:

26.13. - Use of first person pronouns by slaves

In all speech an odalisque should endeavor to use first person pronouns as little as possible, except where to use alternative constructions would be forced, comical, inappropriate or unnatural.

Examples of correct form:

To "I understand Keeper" prefer "It is understood Keeper."

To "Keeper, my feet are cold" prefer "Keeper, your slave's feet are cold."

To "I am all cunt for you, Keeper" prefer "A slave is all cunt for her Keeper."

To "I will do it, Keeper" prefer "It will be done, Keeper."

To "I submit to you, Keeper" prefer "Your slave submits to you, Keeper."

26.6. - Indirect forms of address preferred

All players shall prefer indirect forms of address including indirect forms of self-reference, avoiding the first person where appropriate, underlining wherever possible the function and title rather than the person of the player.

Examples of correct form:

Slavekeeper: Your Slavekeeper wants to see you. (Rather than "I want to see you.")

Slave: Your slave will obey. (Rather than "I will obey") 



But if this is difficult and it leads to stultified or artificial, forced discourse, there it is better to be natural. The same applies to the use of French words and phrases. If it sounds forced and artificial – or ugly or silly – then it is best to leave it aside and speak naturally. Ease before formality. Ease AND formality is best, but if that is not immediately possible then ease before formality.

From a training point of view, changing a slave’s speech to conform to the etiquette of Code d’ Odalisque usually should be done gently over time. The slave is slowly habituated to the required formalities. One of these is avoiding the first person, which means systematically deflecting her thoughts away from herself. It is part of the slave’s etiquette because it teaches her to not think of “I”, to not be an egocentric being, to defer in her thoughts to her Master. Avoiding the first person in speech creates a desirable habit of mind in a slave. But it can be adopted as a habit over time. If it feels forced, be natural and use “I” instead. Introduce third person speech slowly.

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