The things you learn: Marku

[pne]

So apparently, the "correct" way to address Marek is as "Marku"—at least in Polish, which still has a vocative.

So yay! I like the vocative case; it and the dual number are probably my favourite grammatical features.

It was also fun to find out that Czech has it, too—by watching an issue of Little Red Tractor on YouTube and comparing the title with what the tractor is called when he's addressed directly.

Comments

[ailbhe]

Irish too.

[pne]

Ah - nifty!

Do all nouns have a distinct form in the vocative, or only some? What would the vocative form of your name be? What would the vocative of (the Irish version of) "Mark" be?

[ailbhe]

Ailbhe doesn't change, and doesn't even usually get a A of addressing someone, because it would sound stammery.

Peadar: A Pheadair
Cara: A Chara
Mícheál: A Mhichíl
Marcus: A Mharcus (I think, but am not sure - it's mor of a Latin name than an Irish one)
Ciar: A Chiar
Tiarna: A Thiarna (Lord)
Dia: A Dhia (God)

[pne]

Thanks!

So basically the first consonant gets lenited and the last one turns slender?

[ailbhe]

lenited? It's called "softening" in Irish. But yes, that's it. And the "A" prefix.

[pne]

lenited? It's called "softening" in Irish.

Yes, "lenition" is just the Latin name for "softening" or "weakening". (And the one I'd usually heard when Irish initial mutations were discussed.)

And the "A" prefix.

Ah, OK.

[ailbhe]

I've really only used "séimhiú," not "softening," when discussing Irish, so...