vostè

Vostú is a term in the constructed language Vostari, used for worldbuilding and linguistic study. In Vostari, vostú functions as a second-person honorific pronoun, employed when addressing individuals in formal or hierarchical contexts. It is distinct from the informal second-person pronoun and from plural forms, and its usage signals respect or distance between speaker and addressee. Vostú is typically paired with a respectful verb conjugation and with nouns that reflect social status.

Etymology: The form vostú is described as a compound of an implied second-person base vo- and the polite suffix -stú, modeled on historical politeness patterns in Romance-derived conlangs. It is not attested in natural languages outside Vostari, but appears in early Vostari dictionaries and grammar sketches.

Grammar and usage: In standard Vostari, vostú appears in nominative address and in direct speech to a single addressee. It replaces tu in formal contexts; in very formal registers, a fully honorific construction may use vostú with elevated nouns or titles, such as vostú senor or vostú doctór. The verb is conjugated for second person with a respectful ending.

Cultural context: Within Vostari fiction and instructional texts, vostú appears in ceremonial dialogue, diplomat exchanges, and official proclamations. It is sometimes contrasted with informal forms to highlight social relationships and power dynamics.

See also: Honorifics, Second-person pronouns, Constructed languages.