In the culture(s) where 'your' language is spoken, are there significant difference in the language when you are talking to family rather than strangers? older people rather than younger? men rather than women?
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Urdu culture places immense emphasis on hierarchy. This is reflected in the formality of the languages when the individual is conversing with those who hold positions higher up the social hierarchy. Bosses, elders and parents, are addressed in formal Urdu. Informality is only acceptable when one is in the company of his or her friends. One might expect Siraiki to share this peculiarity. However, it does not. There is not great disparity between formal and informal Siraiki. While Urdu has 3 different of words “you” depending on whether you are addressing your elder, your friend, or your subordinate, Siriaki only has one. This was a great shock to me as I was expecting rules of formality in Siraiki to reflect in Urdu.
Yes, there are strict constraints in Korean. Korean language is inherently hierarchy. When we speak to someone who might be considered worthy of more respect including someone who is simply born one or more years before you, teachers , bosses, parents, we must use a special set of language vocabulary and verb ending. From Korean Dramas to books, if someone fails to use the proper level of formality when speaking to others, it will be regarded as a lack of respect.
For example, the aforementioned banmal (“common speech”), the least formal, is most common between people of same age, close friends.
“Jondaetmal” means to respect. It is used in a variety of situations between people who first meet each other and colleagues in a business environment.
In a Korean drama, I encountered the highest form of speech, “jondaetmal” or “mama” which is used to address emperors, the members of loyal family.
Korean is definitely a language where formality is a very important while speaking the language in terms of age, and seniority. There is a separate formal way of speaking to anyone that is older than you (even by one year), your senior (at school or at work), or someone you have just met. Once you get to know someone as a friend, then you can agree to use "banmal" which is the informal way of speaking. This is a norm in Korean society, and if you do not follow this, you will be seen as extremely disrespectful as hierarchy is a very important aspect of Korean culture.
In terms of family, I've seen both informal and formal ways used between each other. In the past (decade+ ago), more people used the formal way of speaking to their parents, grandparents, older siblings, etc. However, in the modern days, I've seen many people who speak informally to any members of their family.
Grammatically speaking, there is no difference in the way men and women speak. However, Korean women have a cultural way of speaking, called "aegyo" which is where many girls speak and act cutely.
Culture Post 2: Korean Formality and Informality - 110
The Korean language is a language based on hierarchy. There exists various forms of linguistic formality when speaking to another person. There are seven speech levels associated with formality, and their use depends on the title or standing of the recipient. For example when greeting someone who is older than oneself, one would typically end a sentence or phrase with “yo” to indicate respect. This also applies to situations where you are meeting someone for the first time. This ending can usually be left out when talking to someone of the same age or younger or between close friends and family members. When addressing someone, it is also very important to show respect by bowing to least at a 90 degree angle. Speech when addressing people of different genders also exist, especially in regards to age. For example, older women who are not elderly are referred to as ‘unni’ by females and ‘noona’ by males. On the other hand men are refered to as ‘oppa’ by females and ‘hyung’ by males. All of these terms symbolizes respect.
Formality and Informality in Target Language
I've talked a lot already on formality and informality for Korean already. But I guess I can re-emphasize some really important points in their culture pertaining to this.
When it comes to being formal, elders are held in the utmost regard. And elder can be someone who is just one year older than you are. One bows down to an elder and does not speak down on them. The only exception to this are young children, but it is expected that as they grow up they learn this etiquette.
As with elders, one is not supposed to eat until the oldest has first taken a bite. As well, you're supposed to pour alcohol and cook the meat if you're the young one. Refusing a drink from an elder is considered rude.
Speaking formal is the default setting for Korean until the older party agrees to drop formality.
There is a lot of respect with titles in Korean and this shows especially in their daily mannerisms of how they interact with one another.
In this instance, American Sign Language is very similar to English. There is typically no differentiation between men and women, except when saying Mr., Mrs., and Miss, which is normally only used in very formal situations. I have read in multiple places that there are formal and informal ways of speaking in ASL, but I have yet to figure out what those differences are. I think I will need to ask my partner in order to know for sure. I think "formal" vs. "informal" language would not necessarily be manifest in the words used, but more likely in how things are said and in what order. I'm sure that there are ways to sign that are used, for example, only with your close friends instead of strangers, just like in English.