Vocative Case (Noun)
Meaning
The case (in some inflected languages) used when the referent of the noun is being addressed.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- In ancient Greek, the vocative case was used to address the person being spoken to directly, as in "Ω βασιλέυ, hear me" or "Oh King, hear me".
- In many inflected languages, including Latin, the vocative case serves the same grammatical function as the nominative, but with the implication that the referent is being addressed.
- The vocative case can express respect, affection or contempt, as in the German phrase "Herr Müller, kommen Sie rein" meaning "Mr Müller, come in" where "Herr Müller" is in the vocative case.
- Ancient Romans used the vocative case to address the emperor as "Imperator" and to honor the gods as "Iuppiter".
- Russian also preserves a vestige of the vocative case, most famously in the names of God as in the vocative phrase "Боже" (Bozhe), an appeal to God to act on the speaker's behalf.