[Lingtyp] Extended uses of terms of address/vocatives

[Andrea Sansò]

Dear all,

My colleague and I are investigating an Italian term of address/vocative
that appears to have recently developed new functions. The term in
question, *raga*, is a shortened form of *ragazzi/e *(meaning "boys/girls"
in the plural). While our analysis and interpretation of the data are still
preliminary, we have observed that *raga *is no longer used exclusively in
its original function as an attention-getter when addressing multiple
interlocutors. Instead, it has acquired various functions in spoken
language. Below is a preliminary list of these new functions:

- Expressing the speaker’s surprise (with both positive and negative
nuances)
- Intensification/boosting
- Marking reported discourse

These new functions represent significant departures from the term's
original, diachronically primary use. For instance, in some cases, *raga* is
directed at a single hearer, contradicting its original plural reference.
In others, the term occurs at the right periphery of an utterance,
contrasting with its traditional use as a vocative or attention-getter,
which is typically confined to the left periphery.

We are aware of several studies addressing the pragmatic evolution of terms
of address in European languages. For example, in a contrastive study on
*güey* in Mexican Spanish and *alter* in German, Kleinknecht and Sousa
(2017: 257) argue that “terms of address have the potential to intensify
the affectivity displayed by the speaker. In this capacity, they may be
employed as linguistic strategies to enhance the expressive and
illocutionary force of utterances.” Furthermore, these expressive uses can
serve as the basis for more specific functions related to turn-taking and
information management. In Mexican Spanish, for instance, *güey* can occur
in the right periphery to emphasize the preceding segment, as illustrated
in the following example (from Kleinknecht & Sousa 2017: 275):

[image: image.png]

While some of the functions we have identified for *raga *align with common
uses of terms of address (e.g., intensification/boosting), others are
perhaps less conventional. To situate our research within a typological
framework, we would like to ask list members for examples of non-canonical
uses of terms of address, particularly from non-European and non-LOL
languages. We would especially appreciate examples involving terms with
inherently plural reference, such as *raga*, as well as any references to
relevant literature.

I will be happy to post a summary of the responses if needed. Thank you in
advance for your help and insights.

Best regards,
Andrea Sansò
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