In a message dated 8/23/00 1:44:52 AM Mountain Daylight Time,
carrotglace@juno.com writes:
Thanks I have over a dozen replies all saying I had the answer
> > and didn't know it.
> >
> > Mrs. Saotome would be Saotome-Kun. honorifics are not gender
> > specific.
> >
>
> Ahem, yes that is true. -kun is an informal honorific
> though, and
> typically used by males.
That should be 'when reffering to males.' Speaking too or about a
particular boy. Also, someone using Saotome-kun to reffer to Nodoka would
have to be a social equal or superior. I.E. a friend of hers of about the
same age.
>From what I have seen and heard, the most common usage of -kun, when used
towards a female, is done most often in the work envorinment. In a social
standing, women who have grown up together may use -chan , or may drop the
honorofic altogether when dealing with each other privately. In public, it
seems that -san is most often used. In a social position, if one is higher,
you may hear -kun used. More often than not however, I've heard -sama used
by the lesser, and -san given by the higher, dependent upon whom the person
is. While it is true that the honorific is not gender specific, there do
seem to be some used more often depending on which gender you are speaking to.
Sorry for my rambling.
Ron Duncan
-being an otaku in New Mexico can be tough
supporter of Takahashi's great relationships - Ataru and Lum, Godai and
Kyoko, Ranma and Akane, me and...
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