Politeness: Apologizing: view article

Menu 1. Other articles Depending on the offense, apologizing can be a big deal in Nolwynn. In their culture, it is not enough to merely apologize with words, particularly if the offense was non-minor, because it does not correct the imbalance to the virtues of Syxeerit [community] and Tšyxim [lovingkindness]. More is needed if balance is to be regained, and that is where the traditional gifts called gibxolwá come in. The idiom “fish are worth more than words” reflects the belief that merely apologizing isn’t [always] enough. Gibxolwá can be anything, but common ones include:

- a basket of fish: the prototypical example of gibxolwá, the basket of fish should include a variety of freshly-caught seafood
- a waterproof bag full of snacks
- an amulet
- building supplies such as canvas, wood, or bamboo

For basic offenses - such as bumping someone - you can simply use the emotion signifier olwá which means something like “sorry.” In other circumstances, echo the verb first. It means something like, “I’m sorry for X.”

kwabo zšeey tswawel!
sandwich my eat.2S<ERG>
You ate my sandwich!

tsweeywel olwá. Oronu’uapo eeyr!
eat.1S<ERG> sorry. hunger have.1S
Sorry. I was hungry!

For grave offenses - perhaps incorrectly using the Avoidance Language - expect the clan to use a death name for you until balance is deemed to have been achieved. Unforgivable offenses result in banishment. The Nolwynn believe that you cannot accept an apology on someone else’s behalf since it does not correct the imbalance. Therefore, any offense that results in someone being unable to speak for themselves - or anything extreme committed against someone who cannot speak - is automatically considered unforgivable.

[edit] [top]Other articles

Other aspects of politeness and respect in Nolwynn are detailed in the following articles:

Politeness and respect

Responses to sneezing

Honorifics and Avoidance Language

Politeness: Apologizing

✎ Edit Article ✖ Delete Article

Comments