But culture matters as well --- Yes, in Spanish we have the V/T distinction, but then again culture plays an important role. For example, the formal "vous" is not as extensively used in Spain and some Spaniards even say it is very outdated. On the contrary, some Latin American countries, for example Colombia, have very widespread use of the formal version, including its usage for children talking to their parents nowadays. So, language competency is not the only thing necessary, but also (as we have said so many times) cultural awareness.

Source author: Desirée Colomé Menéndez dcolome@sre.gob.mx