The relationship between language and culture is deep, and exists on
many levels. Social relationships can affect language and its use,
occasionally in interesting ways.

One such is the phenomenon of the 'avoidance language' or 'mother-in-law
language'. While the formal definition is quite a bit narrower (and more
rigorous) than I use here, it's not entirely inaccurate to describe the
phenomenon as a language (or vocabulary within a language) that allows
communication between social groups that may not otherwise be permitted
to interact 'normally'. Some examples of this phenomenon - and possibly
related ones:

* Among certain tribal societies, most notably Australian aboriginals
and some North American tribes, it is forbidden for a person ('ego', in
such discussions) to talk to (or in some cases, even look at) ego's
spouse's parent of the opposite sex. In such cases, communication
between ego and the taboo person, may be done through such a language.
(This is the origin of the term 'mother-in-law language'.) Most examples
of this type of avoidance language have features such as reduced
vocabulary and circumlocutive phrasing (usually because of the reduced
vocabulary).

* In discussions of Japanese culture prior to extensive contact with the
West, it is often said (with accuracy unknown to me) that one would use
different vocabulary when speaking to someone of higher social status,
of equal social status, and of lower social status - and that similar
differences of vocabulary applied when men and women spoke to each
other. The social-status difference also appeared in Robert A.
Heinlein's novel _Farnham's Freehold_.

* In the German medieval and renaissance periods, it has been suggested
that nobles never gave orders directly to their servants. Instead, they
would address others in the room, or even inanimate objects, and simply
describe what the servant was required to do, e.g., 'She will bring
brandy', 'He will bring the carriage to the door', 'She will escort the
guest to her (the guest's) room', and so on.

--
Jeff Zeitlin, Editor
Freelance Traveller
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