When adults talk to children, they use a lot of diminutives. When they talk to other adults, they use diminutives much less often. When they talk to pets, regardless of their age, they use plenty of diminutives. Why?
I think the following link will be helpful
http://www.lituanus.org/2009/09_1_06%20Dabasinskiene.htm
Best Regards Krzysztof Trzcinski
In my thesis , the use of diminutives was associated with closeness to the addressee. You do not expect people to use them with people they do not know. Thus, they are used more with close people such as friends and family. As for animals, there is the sense they are little and that can explain their use. The problem with diminutives , they are discourse markers which their use and meaning can differ from one user to another.
Is it possible that, depending on the size of the pet, people use diminutives more or less often?
well , we can assume that. After all, the primary use of diminutives is to mean little. It would be weird to find someone referring to a lion by diminutives.
I've got friends using almost only diminutives while talking to their horse!
Another question I have is here:
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_is_the_influence_of_animals_on_the_upbringing_education_of_human_children
I think the following link will be helpful
http://www.lituanus.org/2009/09_1_06%20Dabasinskiene.htm
Best Regards Krzysztof Trzcinski
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Psychology