причина исчезновения thou в английском

[Валер]

меньше учить 

https://my.mail.ru/mail/drolja2008/video/194/647.html

[limpopo]

Я бы убрала местоимение "ты" из русского тоже. А то порой ломаешь голову, как к человеку обращаться 

[zwh]

Где-то читал, что в немецком появилось вежливое "Du". Только вот как в устной речи определить, что оно именно вежливое -- фиг знает... Хотя вот чё нарыл:

"Du" was never capitalised all the time in modern German. It was only capitalised in letters to personally address the reader... It was abolished and is now allowed again but optional. In contexts where the reader is not personally addressed, it is NEVER capitalised (unless it's the first word in the sentence).

The original intention was indeed to show respect for the reader... But it was never really clear to which contexts it applies. Letters, sure. But does e-mail qualify as a letter? What about post-it notes on the fridge? Or when a speech is written down? Instructions in textbooks that address the reader? Is this personal enough despite not being directed towards one specific person?

Now it's a bit more logical. You are allowed to use it in letters but you don't have to. In other places, "du" is mandatory. You have to option to be consistent and use "du" everywhere including letters. It's absolutely correct, not less polite (since it's the informal pronoun anyway)... And it's what I do all the time as a native speaker. Same for almost everyone who grew up post-spelling reform.

[Aliska23]

да.. нужно постоянно новые слова отслеживать, язык ведь быстро меняется..