Directing a negative statement to someone that is actually intended for the speaker itself?

Question

In spoken English, sometimes people address the audience but in fact, they mean themselves. An example: > You haven't been attacked and fearful for your life and remained > optimistic the entire time. What they actually mean is the following: > I was attacked and I was fearful of my life and I remained optimistic > the entire time. You do not understand this because you haven't > experience it. Is this a known English grammar? Or is this something that have been discussed in Language or Linguistics studies?

Answer 1

What you are exemplifying is the usage of the second person narrative in writing and speaking--in which the writer/speaker uses "you" in each written or spoken statement. Often times, writers and speakers will utilize the second person narrative in order to connect directly with their audiences during their presentations. You are correct in that--via your example provided, people often use the second person narrative when they are secretly referring to themselves. In doing so, writers and speakers are able to develop a philosophical tone to their arguments and make them broader in their scope rather than singular in their self-directed approach. Even if these writers and speakers cannot see it outwardly, their audiences are undoubtedly in agreement with what they are hearing and reading right in front of them--via heads nodding and internal peace being achieved throughout the process.

I hope this helps! As a published author three times over, and a classroom teacher and tutor for over one decade and counting, I use the second person narrative a lot in my lesson and book writing and deliveries thereof to better connect with my growingly literate pupils near and far. It seems to work from what I can tell! :)