Third person speech

When one trains, of course, they adapt that training to the level of experience of the particular trainee. More often than not, slaves trained in Kassar have at least some experience with Gor. In most cases, they are just seeking another home. When training one that does not have that experience, the trainer must at least explain the rudiments of Gor.

In doing this, celeste felt it necessary to discuss third person speech with this novice slave. Since third person speech is not addressed in our training manual, this girl surmised that quite possibly it was not mandatory in Kassar. celeste spoke to her Ubar and Master advised celeste that since third person was not always used in the Norman scrolls, it had been decided some time ago that third person would not be mandatory in Kassar. Master Ubar advised celeste that un-capped letters of first person speech was acceptable.

This was very interesting to this girl. celeste had always been of the understanding that third person speech in any Gorean forum was a requirement. Like many that come to Gor, celeste had always heard that a slave had no i, me or my in their vocabulary. celeste was curious about this and looked into it. she found out that it is fact, third person speech was not commonly used in the scrolls of Norman. it was used more in Norman's later scrolls.

The first Gorean words the Earth girl had been taught, and she had learned them in the pens of Samos of Port Kar, were "La Kajira," which means "I am a slave girl." (Tribesmen of Gor, pg 74)

This is one of many quotes in which the slave does not speak in third person:

"'Do you want to be respected?' I asked.
'You will never respect me,' she laughed. 'I am a slave.'
'Do you want to be respected?' I asked.
'No man respects a woman who knows what else to do with her,' she said.
'It is a Gorean saying,' I said."
(Beasts of Gor, pg 434)

"What is your name?" I asked.
"Tafa, if it pleases Master," she said. That is a common slave name on Gor.
"Do you repent the error of your ways?" I asked.
"Yes, Master," she said.
"Who repents the error of her ways?" I asked.
"Tafa repents the error of her ways," she said.
"Who is sorry, who begs forgiveness?" I asked.
"Tafa is sorry! Tafa begs forgiveness!" she said.
(Magicians of Gor, pg 123)

"`Who!' she demanded.
`I did,' I cried. `I did!'
`Speak as a slave!' demanded Ute.
`El-in-or betrayed Ute!' I cried. `El-in-nor betrayed Ute!'
(Captive of Gor, pg 287)

"Buy me," she whispered. "Buy me. You are rich! You can buy me!"
"Is that how a slave begs?" I asked.
"Buy Tana!" she wept. "Buy Tana!"
(Hunters of Gor, pg 61)

This girl adheres to the occasional usage of third person. When in a Gorean forum, celeste uses third person speech. When she speaks to her sisters in pms or outside of camp she usually reverts to first person. This girl's Master has not taken issue with celeste speaking to Him in first person outside of camp. If it would be her Master's wish that the usage of third person would be constant, of course celeste would comply.

Some are of the opinion that third person sounds child-like, "babyish" or unintelligent. celeste would have to disagree. slaves can be very articulate, capable of expressing themselves intelligently and concisely while using third person.

Some have said that when a slave is first learning their slavery, having it impressed upon them, that it would be easier to grasp if they used third person. It is as if the person is constantly referring to someone else other than themself. For example, "celeste is a slave" as opposed to, "I am a slave" (celeste being this girl's slave name and not her rt name.)

Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Would that not be making it easier for a slave to avoid coming to terms with what slavery is, who the slave is? Perhaps so. Others feel that the practice of third person speech can be a powerful way to reinforce the slave's status, a psychological tool.

It would appear that third person speech was not a "slave requirement." The scrolls of John Norman did not seem to indicate that third person was the universal speech of a slave. So, third person speech is not mandatory in this girl's wonderful home -- Kassar, which is why it had not been included in the training manual!

What it comes down to is that it really depends on what is pleasing to a slave's Owner and the slave must also comply with the wishes of those who govern each specific venue. When in a Gorean forum, if unsure of protocol with regards to slave speech, perhaps third person speech should be used unless the rules suggest otherwise.

*renamed dana{TRK} on Aug. 24.