BBC on the second person address on the interweb, specifically usage of the informal “tu” vs. the formal “vous” on Twitter.
Social networking sites such as Twitter take this one step further, adopting codes “characterised by a heightened sense of emotional proximity”, such as friending on Facebook, he says.
Twitter, meanwhile, follows on from a long line of internet forums where users could be anonymous.
“In the philosophy of the internet, we are among peers, equal, without social distinction, whatever your age, gender, income or status in real life,” Besson says.
Addressing someone as “vous” – or expecting to be addressed as “vous” – on the other hand, implies hierarchy.
There are poignant comments on the article.
