Page:History of the Indian Archipelago Vol 2.djvu/24

 10 LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE however, is that which springs from the fabric of society, considered in a political view. This pecu- liarity of the language runs to so great an extent, that speech is in fact divided into two dialects, the ordinary language, and one invented to express deference and respect. This distinction Uy no means implies a court or polished language, op- posed to a vulgar or popular one, for both are equally polite and cultivated, and all depends on the relations in which the speakers stand to each other, as they happen to be inferiors or supe- riors. A servant addresses his master in the lan- guage of deference, a child his parent, a wife her husband, if there be much disparity in their ages, and the courtier his prince. The superior replies in the ordinary dialect, the language still affording modifications and distinctions, according to the rank of the person he addresses, until that rank rises to equality, when, if no intimacy subsists be- tween the parties, the language of deference is adopted by both, or when, if there does, ceremony is thrown aside, and the ordinary language becomes the only medium of conversation. An extensive acquaintance with the language of deference is held a mark of education and good-breeding. With persons who frequent a court, or are in ha- bits of intercourse with the great, the phraseology is refined and copious ; but of the ordinary peasant.