Michael Likey

Illeism is the practice of referring to oneself in the third person, a technique observed in both literature and everyday speech. Historically, authors like Julius Caesar and Xenophon used it in non-fictional accounts to project an image of impartiality while justifying their actions. In fiction, it can signify idiocy, innocence, or eccentricity, as seen with characters like Mongo from Blazing Saddles or Dobby the Elf. The Babylonian Talmud also features this linguistic device.

In contemporary contexts, illeism can be employed for self-promotion, as sometimes seen in politics, or conversely, to convey self-deprecation and humility. Psychological studies suggest that thinking and speaking in the third person can foster emotional distance, enhance wisdom, and improve mental well-being by promoting intellectual humility and empathy. Certain Eastern spiritual traditions, such as Hinduism, view illeism as a sign of enlightenment, encouraging detachment from the physical self, with figures like Swami Ramdas and Anandamayi Ma noted for this practice. Celebrities have also used it to differentiate their public personas from their private lives, and it's a common linguistic phase for toddlers and a stylistic choice in some cultures.

The act of referring to oneself in the third person, known as illeism, has a long history in literature. Early historical accounts, such as Julius Caesar's writings on the Gallic Wars and Xenophon's Anabasis, utilized this technique. The authors presented their own military campaigns and actions in the third person, ostensibly to lend an air of objective impartiality, though this often served to subtly justify their decisions. In fictional works, illeism can serve a variety of purposes. It might be employed to portray characters as simple-minded or foolish, as exemplified by Mongo in "Blazing Saddles" with his characteristic "Mongo like candy." Conversely, it can highlight a character's innocent simplicity, as demonstrated by Dobby the Elf in the Harry Potter series. The Muppet character Elmo is also known for his near-exclusive use of third-person self-reference. Some literary traditions, like the Babylonian Talmud, extensively incorporate illeism, often through phrases like "hahu gavra," meaning "that man."

Beyond its literary applications, illeism carries significant psychological and spiritual implications. In everyday speech, it can be used for self-promotion, sometimes humorously, as Bob Dole did during his political career. Conversely, it can signal self-deprecation, irony, and a refusal to take oneself too seriously, serving as an antidote to the narcissism often associated with excessive first-person pronoun use. Psychological research indicates that thinking and speaking in the third person can enhance self-awareness, emotional regulation, and cognitive perspective-taking, leading to increased wisdom and improved mental health. This practice encourages intellectual humility and empathy by allowing individuals to distance themselves from their immediate emotional responses. In spiritual contexts, particularly within certain Eastern traditions like Hinduism, illeism is associated with enlightenment. Practices such as Jnana yoga encourage adherents to refer to themselves in the third person as a means of detaching the eternal self (atman) from the physical form, fostering a sense of spiritual transcendence.

The deliberate use of illeism can also be a strategy for managing public persona versus private self. Celebrities like Marilyn Monroe and Alice Cooper have employed this technique to create a distinction between their famous identities and their personal lives. In music, Mary J. Blige incorporated third-person introductions in her song "Family Affair." On a developmental level, illeism is a common stage for very young children learning language. Parents often refer to themselves as "Daddy" or "Mommy" to aid toddlers who haven't yet grasped the contextual nature of "I" and "you." Children typically outgrow this phase as their sense of self-recognition solidifies. Cultural variations also exist; in Japan, individuals, particularly girls, might use their own name to appear cute or childish, a practice linked to the concept of "burikko."