ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-144-002 · ATLAS 251

Inclusive and exclusive we

A pronominal distinction indicating whether the addressee is included in ‘we’.

Explanation

Many languages divide German wir and English we into at least two forms. The distinction grammatically displays whether the listener belongs to the group being referred to.

Example

Mandarin zánmen includes the addressee, while wǒmen may exclude them. Martuthunira additionally distinguishes dual and plural inclusive and exclusive forms.

Counterexample

English We will leave later can refer to either grouping; context must decide.

Distinction

addressee included ↔ excluded

Effect on thought and perception

Turns belonging from a silent conversational assumption into a visible grammatical choice.

Resonance

Common ground gains a grammatical boundary: every ‘we’ redraws the group.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Inclusive and exclusive we“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-144-002. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-144-002

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-144-002

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