Content
The vocative It is an element of the speech that serves so that the speaker attracts the attention of the receiver or receivers of his message. In this way, the statement is specifically directed to someone. For example: Sit down, sir.
The vocative expressly fulfills the appellate function: it invokes, calls or names a person or several people present in the communicative act.
That way of naming is not fixed: the most common is that it is through the mention of his first name, or first and last name (if you want to be more precise). But it can also be a term that designates a profession or title, a job position within a public or private institution, a category of relative, or even a nickname, a hypocoristic or an adjective that tacitly identifies it in that context.
Although affectionate and at the same time respectful adjectives are usually used, some care must be taken, because in different cultures this can vary.
Examples of vocatives
- Martha, close the door tightly before you go.
- Today is a very special day, dear students.
- I'm worried, doctor. He has had a fever for several days.
- And that's why I tell you, friends, which I feel very gratified.
- Do you take an exam today, Prof?
- ¡SultanHere is the plate with your food!
- Hi, Tere! How thin you are!
- Pass by here, beautiful. We will start with the haircut.
- And that's it, boys.
- Let's see, skinny, show us what you have to sell ...
- Can't believe it Mechi, it was finally given to you!
- Companions, we must be more united today than ever.
- But, Mrs, don't touch all the apples ...
- I told you several times Juan Gabriel, we have to give this topic a cut.
- I'm sorry I interrupted you Leivabut I'm in a rush with that report.
- Go ahead, fat woman, come with me ...
- BoysDon't you want to play a little snack now that it's not so hot anymore?
- Do not say foolishness, ClaudiaYou know that I am not leaving this office for that
- Grandmother, in a while we go out to run errands.
- Let's see, Dear, if you put the batteries and start cleaning this ...
The vocative in the sentence
From a syntactic point of view, the vocative is considered a peripheral element of the sentence. This means that it must be isolated from the rest of the sentence by commas. If it appears at the beginning or end of the sentence, it requires only the closing or opening comma, respectively. If it appears in the middle of the sentence, it will be enclosed between two commas.
Although the location of the vocative (at the beginning, middle or end of the sentence) is not grammatically relevant, some linguists consider that there is a different expressive nuance in each case.
Its placement at the beginning almost always has the simple purpose of drawing the attention of the person to whom the speech is directed, so it is typical of public speeches, for example, of politicians.
When it is located in any part of the sentence or its closing, it is generally perceived rather as an emphatic or rhetorical device, to reinforce the expression of what is said or to give a quick moment of relaxation to those who listen to what is said. that is said. In informal exchanges between friends or relatives, the vocative often reflects affection or trust.
