Thou vs. Thy

Attribute	Thou	Thy
Subject	You	Your
Formality	Informal	Formal
Usage	Old English	Old English
Meaning	You (subject)	Your (possessive)

Definition

Thou and thy are both archaic English pronouns that were commonly used in the past. Thou is the subject form of the pronoun, while thy is the possessive form. Thou is used when referring to the person being spoken to, while thy is used to show possession by that person.

Usage

Thou was used as the singular form of "you" in Early Modern English, but it fell out of common usage in the 17th century. Thy, on the other hand, is still occasionally used in religious texts or poetry to give a sense of formality or antiquity. Both words are considered outdated in modern English and are rarely used in everyday conversation.

Formality

Thou is considered to be more informal than thy. In the past, thou was used when speaking to friends, family members, or social inferiors, while thy was used when speaking to social superiors or in formal situations. The use of thou was a sign of familiarity and closeness, while thy was a sign of respect and deference.

Connotations

Thou has connotations of intimacy and informality, while thy has connotations of respect and formality. When using thou, there is a sense of closeness and familiarity between the speaker and the person being addressed. Thy, on the other hand, creates a sense of distance and respect, as it implies a level of formality and deference.

Historical Context

Thou and thy were commonly used in Early Modern English, which was spoken in England from the late 15th century to the mid-17th century. During this time, English society was highly stratified, with strict rules of etiquette and social hierarchy. The use of thou and thy reflected these social norms, with thou being used for social inferiors and thy being used for social superiors.

Modern Usage

In modern English, thou and thy are rarely used in everyday conversation. However, they are still occasionally used in religious texts, poetry, or other forms of literature to create a sense of formality or antiquity. Some people may also use thou and thy humorously or ironically to mimic the language of the past.

Conclusion

Thou and thy are both archaic English pronouns that were commonly used in the past. Thou is the subject form of the pronoun, while thy is the possessive form. Thou is considered more informal and intimate, while thy is considered more formal and respectful. While both words are rarely used in modern English, they still hold a place in literature and religious texts as a way to evoke a sense of the past.