Colloquialism is often associated with humour and sarcasm; just as derogatory statements are regarded as self-conceited, usual and ordinary. The priests of the language are of the view that, the “His” and “Your” adjectives popularly used to address important personalities such as “His Lordship” and “Your Lordship” connote different things, far from what people believed when addressing someone holding high office. The prefixes, “Your”, “His,” trailing the Lordship, for example, to the opinion of many followers of the language can be understood differently.
To some, the “Your” adjective, is suitable when addressing an object or persons held in high esteem verbally, while the “His” adjective takes only the written form. The mix up is expected, no doubt, just as any written essay or article, ten different people would read it and form diverse understanding of the author’s thought. It is up to the writer to write plainly, concisely and straightforwardly to avoid being misquoted. To digress a bit, understanding the author’s language is, indeed, one big issue that tasks both the writer’s and listener’s wits, especially where it concerns scientific and technical essays. Investigation shows that several people shy away from reading technical or scientific books, or articles, because of the arcane and unfamiliar vocabularies or jargons.
However, the audience should not be denied of the latest scientific breakthrough. That is why I relish the idea of introducing scientific journalism in the Mass Communication Departments of our Higher Institutions to break the jinx and fear. These are trainee journalists and reporters, who may likely become science journalists after graduation from school. Returning to our discussion, between “Your Highness”, “His Highness”, following what the reference book articulate, the two adjectives are at parallel; no meeting point. “His” Lordship, according to the language purists and masters is the standard and more acceptable of the two. The one-syllable-word, “His” is more dignifying and fits the office of a Lordship, Highness, Majesty, Holiness, Honour, Worship, etc. Any other title aside from the “His”, could be misleading and deceitful, the inventors of the language conclude.
The insistence of the language enthusiasts, that the “His” label is correct in addressing one so invested and decorated with insignia of office, spiritual or temporal, deflates the argument that the “His” objective is reserved for the written word, while the “Your” title is verbal. Some see it the opposite. In short, it is neither here nor there. No one is certain or too sure the one which is right. From the stand of the priests of the language, the prefix, “His” is formal; and the prefix “Your” is informal, thereby lowering the status of occupant of the seat, reducing it to mere joke or ridicule, or undeserving of the high office. This example from Chambers 21st Century Dictionary captures it this way; “Your” (adjective) belong to you, often used derogatorily- usual, ordinary, typical: your politicians nowadays have no principles.”
The statement, in other words, sounds indicting, or like someone glorifying himself without the followership; possessing not the instrument of power to justify his claim to the throne. One would not be far from it, if one decides to address such usurpers of office as “Your Highness, Your Majesty, Your Bishop and other title undeserving of a person who has not been so honoured and lacked the power apparatus to stay in office. This has led to unnecessary litigations that appear to tear apart kingdoms and families. So, use the correct prefix, “His” to speak to leaders, both spiritual and temporal to identify them in their respective offices. I repeat again, the standard and befitting way to address one who is legitimately selected or appointed into office, and given the tool to operate freely is, “His Highness, His Holiness, His Majesty, His Worship, etc. “It does not matter whether it takes the written or spoken English format. Avoid the use of colloquial and derogatory term, “Your” prefix to refer to anybody so honoured to be handed that instrument of power to oversee his or her area of jurisdiction. It is a misnomer, to say the least, and wrong misuse of the adjective, “Your”.
