use of capitals for lei, voi in formal letter writing

[I Am Herenow]

Salve

I'm trying to learn Italian and am using various sources to do this. In one text book, "lei" [she] and "lei" [you, polite sing.] were both written the same and no disctinction was made. However, another one pointed out that "lei" [you] must always, in fact, be written with a capital (i.e. so it's always "Lei") when it means "you", as "lei" with a lowercase "l" always means "she".

I am confused! Is it "Lei" or "lei" or up to personal opinion or what do I do?!

P.S.
Please answer in English, I don't know Italian that well yet

Grazie

 

[Talant]

Hi You Are Therenow,

I was told that "Lei", "La",... have to be in capital letters when they are used as polite pronouns.

Bye

 

[I Am Herenow]

Thanks

But what does "La" mean in Italian if it's a pronoun? :S

 

[MünchnerFax]

It's what you'd call accusative in Russian, and we call pronome oggetto:
I'll call you tomorrow = La chiamo domani.

 

[sam1978]

Salve

I'm trying to learn Italian and am using various sources to do this. In one text book, "lei" [she] and "lei" [you, polite sing.] were both written the same and no disctinction was made. However, another one pointed out that "lei" [you] must always, in fact, be written with a capital (i.e. so it's always "Lei") when it means "you", as "lei" with a lowercase "l" always means "she".

I am confused! Is it "Lei" or "lei" or up to personal opinion or what do I do?!

P.S.
Please answer in English, I don't know Italian that well yet

Grazie

Icould try to explain it in Russian, but I don't know if I can here!

 

[Londoner06]

Click HERE for a handy Italian pronoun chart you can print out to help you identify them. The pronouns marked * are formal. Maximize the picture so it can be read clearly.

Alex

 

[Jana337]

Icould try to explain it in Russian, but I don't know if I can here!

No, not here, please. But I Am Herenow may take you up on that offer and open a thread in the Slavic forum.

 

[Karl!!!!]

Hi. My dictionary claims that Lei is the traditional way of writing 'you' politely, but that in modern Italian there is no distinction, i.e. lei is used both for 'you' (polite) and 'she'. Maybe a native can confirm or refute this for me!

 

[gabrigabri]

If I write an important email or letter, I write "Lei" (you) or "lei" (she").

Come Lei ben sa, etc
Has you know.

The same in an interview, journal article, etc.

"Lei" polite: always with "L"
So: Suo, Le, Vi, Vostri (Vostro dipends on the situation: if I speak with friend I wirte "vostri").

 

[virgilio]

I am Herenow,
You wrote: " But what does "La" mean in Italian if it's a pronoun?"
It means "you".e.g.
ArrivederLa - Till I see you again"
Of course, if it is the first word in a sentence, it would have an initial capital letter anyway and so in that case, it could mean "her" (accusative of "she") or "it", if it referred to a thing of feminine gender.
e.g.
Dov'è la mia matita?
La vedo lì sul tavolo.

There is, of course, an advantage in always writing the "you" - type "Lei" with a capital initial. In that way its meaning is clear, even in the middle of a sentence.
Virgilio

 

[StaceyLee]

Hi All,

I am having a little debate with a member of this forum that I hope you can solve:

My Italian teacher (from Perugia, has taught me that in formal letter writing in Italian, I should always capitalize Lei and Voi and pronouns referring to lei and voi, even when attached to infinitives. Vi faccio qualche esempio:

1. La ringrazio della Sua attenzione e Le porgo i miei piu' cordiali
saluti.

2. ho ricevuto il Suo messaggio e credo di averLe mandato un'email dicendo che non c'erano problemi

Also I have a small related question: Often I notice in Italian letters/ emails the first letter of the first word is not capitalized, but it is not always the case. Is this optional? Is there any rhyme or reason to capitalizing or not with the first letter?

My friend from the forum, also in Italy, said he has never seen or heard of the capitalization of the Lei and Voi in formal letters. So who's right?

Grazie!

 

[irene.acler]

I think you can find both versions. Generally, I personally write with capitalization of the pronouns in formal letters.

As far as the first letter is concerned, to be honest I don't know whether there's a rule or not, but I write with the capitalize letter for example!

 

[StaceyLee]

Thanks, Irene. Is this the only kind of writing in which you capitalize these pronouns?

 

[irene.acler]

Yes, I capitalize only in formal writing.

But then it depends. For example: if I write to one of my teachers for the first time, I'm going to use capitalization. Then, when I write for the second, third, fourth time and so on, I'll tend no to use capitalization, because it's like I know him/her better.

 

[StaceyLee]

Oh- that's very interesting, but you will continue to use the lei form, just no capitals, right? Just want to be sure.

 

[irene.acler]

Yes, I continue using the "lei" form, but without capitalization.
I don't know if it's only my way of writing..I'd be interested in seeing what other Italians think about this topic!

 

[federicoft]

As regards capitalizing the first letter of the first word, in Italian it's not capitalized.

E.g.
Caro Mario,
blablabla

While in English you have:
Dear John,
Blablabla

which I personally find rather strange, because it's after a comma.

 

[StaceyLee]

But is more common for natives to use capital or lower case in the first word of formal letter writing? Is it more common for natives to capitalize the use of Lei/ Voi pronouns or to use lower case? Just curious.

As regards capitalizing the first letter of the first word, in Italian it's not capitalized.

E.g.
Caro Mario,
blablabla

While in English you have:
Dear John,
Blablabla

which I personally find rather strange, because it's after a comma.

By the way federicoft- this makes total sense to me, but never would have occured to me if you hadn't pointed it out!

 

[federicoft]

But is more common for natives to use capital or lower case in the first word of formal letter writing? Is it more common for natives to capitalize the use of Lei/ Voi pronouns or to use lower case? Just curious.

In formal writing, especially professional letters, Lei is usually capitalized. The first letter is never capitalized, no matter if formal or informal writing.

 

[irene.acler]

Maybe I'm influenced by the Spanish language, and I write the first letter capitalised!

 

[SunDraw]

I should always capitalize Lei and Voi and pronouns referring to lei and voi, even when attached to infinitives.

I subscribe it fully, and I like it.
Thereafter, let's use the "tu".

Caro Mario,
blablabla

because it's after a comma.

Since a while, i.e. since we are more technologicized (si dice così?), I (feel justified to) use:

Caro Mario [NO COMMA]
Blablabla.

That is: "Caro Mario" has the same function of the address isolated up there on the letter (label).
Fubbo, no?!
___
(Please forgive & correct my English, thank you)

 

[topazsummer]

If I am writing a formal letter to a company, but not to a specific person, should I use the Voi or Lei, voi or lei?
eg Vi ringrazio della Vostra attenzione or Le ringrazio della Sua attenzione

If I useVoi, can I then use phrases like this during the same letter:
Speriamo che si capisca la nostra posizione in questa questione

Many thanks for your help, I am confused and it is many years since I last spoke Italian.

 

[Correctrix]

As regards capitalizing the first letter of the first word, in Italian it's not capitalized.

E.g.
Caro Mario,
blablabla

Well, it's not the first word then, is it?

While in English you have:
Dear John,
Blablabla

Ahem. Some people treat the salutation as not part of the sentence.