Hindi honorifics/forms of address

[teromain]

I have a scenario that's taking place in a fantasy-esque version of early 1800s India, so all my Google-fu is rather useless in looking up honorifics as I mostly get modern ones that revolve around professions or have English influences (Dr., aunty, uncle, etc.) or are mainly used between people who are on similar social standings or related (baba-

Comments

[applepips16]

I am guessing in the 1800's, a person would use something like Maa-ji or Mata-ji for an older woman. I am not sure what the woman would use for the man other than 'Beta' though.

Also, I did a little searching and found this.

http://hindiurduflagship.org/assets/pdf/Hindi_and_Urdu_since_1800.pdf

I hope it is of some help to you! :)

[teromain]

Thank you! Mata-ji would probably work very well. Is there a way to make 'beta' more respectful, with a suffix or prefix? It just seems a little short.

Sadly I couldn't find anything on forms of address in that PDF, but it was interesting to look through!

[applepips16]

When you speak to younger people, you generally don't add prefixes or suffixes for whatever form of address you use for them. Even if your language and tone are respectful, no suffix or prefixes.

Oh bummer.

Glad I could help a bit though. :)

[avanti_90]

Mataji, and beta. Hindi is my native tongue and I can't think of anything else that makes sense.

[teromain]

Thank you very much! I think this is what I will go with.