How Indirect Speech Transcends Language

Indirect speech is a quintessential part of English-- it provides us with the ability to express gratitude, appreciation, and form strong social bonds. I can hardly think of a day where I didn't employ a whimperative, innuendo, or double entendre. However, insinuating a thought or desire by using indirect speech isn’t unique to English. 

In Spanish, commands and indirect phases are so fundamental, that both types of speech have their own verb endings; these endings shift according to who the verb is addressing. For example, if a parent is commanding their kid to clean their room, the verb “limpar” (to clean) would change to “limpia.” On the other hand, if the mother was asking the child to “please clean their room” the verb would look like “limpie.” This change in verb ending allows Spanish speakers to designate the necessity of action; if a phrase is stated as a command, the phrase holds more emphasis. However, it is important to note that commands are only utilized by parents or people with authority-- in everyday vernacular, people usually resort to indirect commands. 

Moreover, there are several instances of indirect speech in Chinese. One of the most common phrases used is “算了算了” which happens to be a double entendre. When expressing annoyance, “算了算了” means “don’t talk to me, I’ve had enough of you.” In contrast, when comforting someone, this phrase shifts its meaning to “it’s alright, don’t worry about it.” Another phrase with multiple meanings is “哪里哪里” Superficially, “哪里哪里'' can mean “where is it,” or it can designate the location of an object. However, this phrase is usually used to showcase humbleness or gratitude; if someone says “your dog is so cute,” one might respond with “​​哪里哪里,” which means  “ah, yes yes,” or  “oh, you’re flattering me.” 

All in all, the use of indirect speech seems to be a universal part of human language. Whether it’s to command someone to do something or showcase flattery, indirect speech is an inescapable part of the human experience.