Re: [tied] Slavic *-os (*-om)

From: Sergejus Tarasovas
Message: 33488
Date: 2004-07-12

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Piotr Gasiorowski [mailto:gpiotr@...]

> > That's interesting, because one of the arguments against
> the vocative
> > theory is the lack of any parallel cases.
>
> In colloquial Modern Polish, the vocative (in <-u>) of the
> hypocoristic forms of male first nouns (Krzysiu, Grzechu,
> Jasiu, Stachu, etc.) frequently functions as the nominative
> (Jasiu dzwonil/ do mnie wczoraj 'Jack phoned me yesterday').

Miguel probably hasn't mentioned that, but yet another argument against
"from the vocative" theory is that this enygmatic /-e/ occurs in pronouns,
adjectives and participles as well. Such a strange overgeneralization of the
vocative would look unprecedent. Yet I have a strong feeling this has
something to do with Slavic anthroponyms in -U/Iko (formally looking like
the vocative of the *a-declension).

Sergei