tuimperative

Tuimperative is a term used in linguistics to describe a type of imperative sentence that is not a direct command but rather a polite or indirect request. Unlike traditional imperatives, which are typically phrased in the second person and use a verb in the base form, tuimperatives are often phrased in the first person and use a verb in the infinitive form. This structure is commonly found in languages that have a distinction between formal and informal speech, such as Spanish and Italian.

The term "tuimperative" was coined by linguist Robert Binnick to describe a specific construction in Spanish, where the speaker uses the first person singular form of the verb to make a request. For example, in Spanish, instead of saying "Toma un café" (Take a coffee), a speaker might say "Voy a tomar un café" (I am going to take a coffee), which is a tuimperative. This construction is often used to soften the request and avoid sounding too direct or demanding.

Tuimperatives are not limited to Spanish; similar constructions can be found in other languages. For instance, in Italian, a speaker might say "Vado a prendere un caffè" (I am going to take a coffee) instead of "Prendi un caffè" (Take a coffee). In both cases, the use of the first person singular form of the verb creates a more polite and indirect request.

The use of tuimperatives is a linguistic strategy that allows speakers to express their intentions or desires in a less confrontational manner. By using the first person singular form of the verb, speakers can create a sense of distance between themselves and the request, making the request seem more like a suggestion or a proposal rather than a direct command. This linguistic strategy is particularly useful in situations where the speaker wants to avoid sounding too demanding or authoritative.