Naucan distinguishes three main levels of politeness: Informal, Standard, and Formal. These levels affect pronoun choice, verb constructions, naming conventions, and how requests are phrased.
Informal Speech
Uses the pronoun gi ("you").
Direct commands with imperative forms.
Used among friends, family, and from adults to children.
Only the personal name (ozinākya) is used.
"Please" can be expressed with:
grethre (neutral "please")
sare berkē (lit. "be good").
Examples:
Kak mīm gi yek? — "How are you?"
Pheri, tenkanre dos! — "Fery, come here!"
Oki, tenkāwore gi bekik nak, sare berkē. — "Ocky, bring me the book, please."
Standard Politeness
Still uses gi, but commands are softened:
With periphrastic constructions (e.g. gemtu "to be able to")
Or with subjunctive (future subjunctive + future subjunctive)
Used among adults who are not close, in work settings, and by children speaking to adults (unless very familiar).
Speakers use the personal name and patronymic (kawnnākya).
"Please" can be:
gethre (polite request)
or yodi kem gretham gik ("if it pleases you")
Examples:
Kak mīm gi yek? — "How are you?"
Pheri Kotanith, gemam gi tenkantu dos? — "Fery Kotanith, can you come here?"
Rīkotibey na uk gi tenkāwobey bekik, yodi kem gretham gik. — "I would like you to bring the book, if it pleases you."
Formal Speech
Uses marek ("sir") instead of the pronoun.
Commands are given only with subjunctive periphrasis.
Used with figures of authority: judges, elders, leaders, professors, etc.
Speakers use the personal name, patronymic, and clan name (kōtnākya), especially with high-ranking individuals.
"Please" is expressed with:
yodi kem gretham ku marekēn ("if it pleases you, sir")
Examples:
Kak mīm marek yek? — "How are you, sir?"
Pheri Kotanith Izirkōt, rībotibey na uk marek tenkanibey, yodi kem gretham ku marekēn. — "Fery Kotanith Izirkōt, I would like you to come, if it pleases you, sir."
Rīkotibey na uk marek tenkāwobey bekik, yodi kem gretham ku marekēn. — "I would like you to bring the book, if it pleases you, sir."