So far every grammar reference has explained the difference between jij/je, wij/we and zij/ze in terms of stress.
Stressed for the full form, but unstressed for the reduced. Nice and intentionally obvious examples ensue. All great!
However, by reading some actual books written in dutch I came to notice that the full forms are more often than not used in entirely neutral and unstressed contexts.
For example, after achieving his goal, the main character is praised by his family with a "Wij zijn super trots op jou". If I were to go strictly by what grammar books say, I'd have to assume THEY (and not others) are proud of HIM (and not someone else). But there is no context for all that emphasis at all. It seems to me as just a plain and simple statement.
I suspect the grammar manuals aren't telling the full story... It looks like the reduced forms are indeed only used in unstressed cases, but the full forms could be used in either.
So, what are the reasons for using the full forms in unstressed sentences in speech and writing?
Is it a stylistic choice? Maybe they sound more polite? More erudite? Perhaps more clearly articulated without necessarily emphasizing?
Stressed for the full form, but unstressed for the reduced. Nice and intentionally obvious examples ensue. All great!
However, by reading some actual books written in dutch I came to notice that the full forms are more often than not used in entirely neutral and unstressed contexts.
For example, after achieving his goal, the main character is praised by his family with a "Wij zijn super trots op jou". If I were to go strictly by what grammar books say, I'd have to assume THEY (and not others) are proud of HIM (and not someone else). But there is no context for all that emphasis at all. It seems to me as just a plain and simple statement.
I suspect the grammar manuals aren't telling the full story... It looks like the reduced forms are indeed only used in unstressed cases, but the full forms could be used in either.
So, what are the reasons for using the full forms in unstressed sentences in speech and writing?
Is it a stylistic choice? Maybe they sound more polite? More erudite? Perhaps more clearly articulated without necessarily emphasizing?