[lit-ideas] A Pragmatics for the Vocative

Further to M. Nantongo's query, the OED has a more or less elaborate entry  
under 'vocative'. Noting the etymology, 'vocare', Latin for 'call', it  
distinguishes clearly between those occurrences of 'vocative' as it applies to  
the 
'casus' (case) and others as it does not, which I append below, as it may  
comprise the class of what Mirembe calls 'particles'. 

Note that the cite from Faber seems to ultimately refer to the idea of  
'case' ("basileu"), and thus it would not be a 'particle', while the cite from  
Earle (1871) refers to "O", which we have mentioned before. 
 
There is a cite on the 'whining vocatives', which may have to do with C. M.  
Harris's anecdote concerning 'Hinny' among the Geordies, and, finally a quote 
of  'fellow' used 'vocatively', as in "Fellow! You dropped your Hat".  
 
Cheers,
 
JL
 
-----
 
'vocative'. 
 
Used to refer to anything "characteristic of, pertaining to, calling  or 
addressing."
 
Quotes: 

1644  BULWER Chirol. 55 
 
To this vocative,  alluring and inticing compellation of the Hand. 
 
1827  G. S.  FABER  Sacr. Cal. Prophecy (1844) III. 112 
 
Pope Gregory, in his  first epistle to the Emperor Leo Isauricus,..salutes 
him with the vocative title  of Basileu.
 
1871  EARLE  Philol. Eng. Tongue 162 
 
As to the sense: the  O prefixed merely imparts to the title a vocative 
effect.


Also: 
 
An invocation or  appeal. 

1747  RICHARDSON Clarissa (1811) II. v. 27 
 
The two latter will  hardly come neither, if they think it will be to hear 
your whining vocatives.



Hence <NOBR>voca 

1662  BP.  PEARSON Creed (ed. 2) 145  
The Nominative may as  well stand vocatively without an Article.  
1904  BRADLEY Making of English 192  
To use the word  [fellow] vocatively to an equal in the sense of â??comradeâ??.



------------------------------------------------------------------
To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off,
digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html

Other related posts: