I remember attending church conventions 40 years ago and being in awe of the senior members of the clergy who continued to attend the meetings even though retired. They sometimes slept at the back of the hall in the mid-afternoon sessions but if they rose to speak most listened to their words with deference. Now that I am of that vintage, I might still nod off during afternoon sessions but deference to things I might say has evaporated. As is typical of most of the social settings in Canada, deference to the experience of age has all but disappeared. I believe this is a tragedy.
Deference means respect and esteem due a superior or an elder. Deference has been used in the English language since 1660. It was borrowed from the French deference, meaning the act of submitting.
Deference is related to the verb defer, with the meaning to submit to another's wishes, opinion, or governance. Both words are derived from the Medieval Latin word deferre, meaning to convey, show respect, or submit to a decision. Defer can also mean to delay or postpone something. The judge had a willingness to defer the decision until next month. This meaning comes from the Latin differre, to carry away in varying directions, spread abroad, postpone, delay, be distinct. The defer related to deference is usually used with ‘to’ in situations having to do with allowing someone else to decide or choose something. I’ll defer to the dictionary for the meaning of that word. The court deferred to precedent in the case.
In Asian cultures, traditional values promote deference to authority figures in various contexts. Social structures have filial obedience to parents. Respect for all elders is a key principle in cultural interactions. In the workplace, seniority-based promotion systems are common. Political deference is a strong value with loyalty to the state and its leaders.
In countries with monarchies there is an inherent system of deference based on the monarch's position. Military officers, civic officials, and religious leaders are also to be treated with deference, where respect and certain protocols of address are expected.
Deference can also be seen in other cultures where hierarchical structures are prominent, and social norms emphasize respect for elders, those in positions of power, or those with perceived expertise. Many indigenous cultures may have strong traditions of deference to elders and their wisdom.
While deference remains significant in certain cultures and contexts, it is notable to acknowledge that the culture of deference is declining in Canada, especially in the areas of healthcare, education, political arenas, and some aspects of family life. This shift reflects a greater emphasis on individual autonomy and mistrusting authority.
Honour, homage, reverence, and deference denote respect and esteem shown to another.
Honour applies to the recognition of one’s right to great respect or to any expression of such recognition. She replied in the letter that her nomination for the position was an honour.
Homage implies accompanying praise. In his address he paid homage to JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Reverence suggests profound respect mingled with love, devotion, or awe. She had great reverence for my mother.
Deference denotes a yielding or submitting to another’s judgment or preference out of respect.
Canada may seem lacking in deference, but on November 11 gatherings silence is still observed in deference to all those who pay and paid the ultimate price in the on-going battle for freedom. Maybe reflecting on deference can help chart a way that respectful attitudes will not disappear in Canadian culture.
Columnist John Kreutzwieser loves to research words and writes this weekly Word Wisdom column for Moose Jaw Express/MooseJawToday.com. He has an interest in the usage, origin, and relevance of words for society today. Greek and Latin form the basis of many words, with ancient Hebrew shedding light on word usage.
John would like to know if anyone has a sincere interest in a relevant word that he could possibly research for an upcoming column. If so, please send your requests to [email protected] . Words will be selected according to relevance and research criteria. We cannot confirm that all words will be used.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
