Slavic honorifics
Encyclopedia
Slavic honorifics do not consist of a broad array of titles. There are two main honorific
s among the Slavic peoples. The Western Slavs
and the Ukrainians
use the title of Pan, the Southern Slavs
and Russians use title of Gospodin, while Belarussians use either Pan or Spadar (simplified version of Haspadar, which is related to Gospodin). Lithuanians
, although not Slavs, use somewhat similar title Ponas.
Historically Pan was an equivalent to Lord or Master. In Polish it can also mean Master (ruler, suzerain) nowadays.
The use of Pan differs in a high degree from the English honorifics. It is used as a honorific (roughly equivalent to Mr) before the name (first name and surname, only surname or only first name) and as a form of address without the name(roughly equivalent to Sir). In Poland use of Pan with the first name marks a combination of familiarity and respect. Unlike Sir, Pan is used both ways between persons of both equal and unequal rank (a waiter will address a guest Pan, and the guest will reciprocate, much like using Monsieur in French). Using Pan with the surname only is regarded as a little respectful way of addressing people, even somewhat condescending. When used to a superior, even rude. Using Pan with the surname only, however, is normally respectful, if talking about somebody. Pan is never used about oneself (unlike Mr).
Pan is also used as kind of personal pronoun in a similar way as Usted in Spanish or Lei in Italian (unlike French 'Monsieur' or German 'Herr', which require the use of 'vous' and 'Sie' respectively).
the titles were changed to the equivalent of Comrade
. In the Russian language
there also was a title of Sudar which was used without inclusion of a personal name. In the Ukraine
the counterpart to Russian Sudar was Pane Dobrodiu or Pani Dobrodiyka. Those titles became obsolete and now can only be found in novels. Also, compare it to the Russian title of the head of state, Gosudar. In Ukrainian
the youngsters were referred as Panych, which is spelled Panicz in Polish. Another title of Vladyka (literally, ruler/master) is only used now when referred to the head of a church.
Honorific
An honorific is a word or expression with connotations conveying esteem or respect when used in addressing or referring to a person. Sometimes, the term is used not quite correctly to refer to an honorary title...
s among the Slavic peoples. The Western Slavs
West Slavs
The West Slavs are Slavic peoples speaking West Slavic languages. They include Poles , Czechs, Slovaks, Lusatian Sorbs and the historical Polabians. The northern or Lechitic group includes, along with Polish, the extinct Polabian and Pomeranian languages...
and the Ukrainians
Ukrainians
Ukrainians are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Ukraine, which is the sixth-largest nation in Europe. The Constitution of Ukraine applies the term 'Ukrainians' to all its citizens...
use the title of Pan, the Southern Slavs
South Slavs
The South Slavs are the southern branch of the Slavic peoples and speak South Slavic languages. Geographically, the South Slavs are native to the Balkan peninsula, the southern Pannonian Plain and the eastern Alps...
and Russians use title of Gospodin, while Belarussians use either Pan or Spadar (simplified version of Haspadar, which is related to Gospodin). Lithuanians
Lithuanians
Lithuanians are the Baltic ethnic group native to Lithuania, where they number around 2,765,600 people. Another million or more make up the Lithuanian diaspora, largely found in countries such as the United States, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Russia, United Kingdom and Ireland. Their native language...
, although not Slavs, use somewhat similar title Ponas.
Historically Pan was an equivalent to Lord or Master. In Polish it can also mean Master (ruler, suzerain) nowadays.
The use of Pan differs in a high degree from the English honorifics. It is used as a honorific (roughly equivalent to Mr) before the name (first name and surname, only surname or only first name) and as a form of address without the name(roughly equivalent to Sir). In Poland use of Pan with the first name marks a combination of familiarity and respect. Unlike Sir, Pan is used both ways between persons of both equal and unequal rank (a waiter will address a guest Pan, and the guest will reciprocate, much like using Monsieur in French). Using Pan with the surname only is regarded as a little respectful way of addressing people, even somewhat condescending. When used to a superior, even rude. Using Pan with the surname only, however, is normally respectful, if talking about somebody. Pan is never used about oneself (unlike Mr).
Pan is also used as kind of personal pronoun in a similar way as Usted in Spanish or Lei in Italian (unlike French 'Monsieur' or German 'Herr', which require the use of 'vous' and 'Sie' respectively).
Other titles
In the Eastern blocEastern bloc
The term Eastern Bloc or Communist Bloc refers to the former communist states of Eastern and Central Europe, generally the Soviet Union and the countries of the Warsaw Pact...
the titles were changed to the equivalent of Comrade
Comrade
Comrade means "friend", "colleague", or "ally". The word comes from French camarade. The term is frequently used by left-wing organizations around the globe. "Comrade" has often become a stock phrase and form of address. This word has its regional equivalents available in many...
. In the Russian language
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
there also was a title of Sudar which was used without inclusion of a personal name. In the Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
the counterpart to Russian Sudar was Pane Dobrodiu or Pani Dobrodiyka. Those titles became obsolete and now can only be found in novels. Also, compare it to the Russian title of the head of state, Gosudar. In Ukrainian
Ukrainian language
Ukrainian is a language of the East Slavic subgroup of the Slavic languages. It is the official state language of Ukraine. Written Ukrainian uses a variant of the Cyrillic alphabet....
the youngsters were referred as Panych, which is spelled Panicz in Polish. Another title of Vladyka (literally, ruler/master) is only used now when referred to the head of a church.