a vowel (*Di-y). The {-o} suffix is only masculine; furthermore, most suffixes to male
names are monosyllabic. The suffix {-y} is usually restricted to children’s names (excep-
tions: Terry, Tony); forms like Jimmy will, as a rule, be used for adult males only by their
mothers and girlfriends or for teasing. In addition, there is ‘a phenomenon regarded by
many as peculiarly Australian, but not in fact limited to Australia, . . . the truncated forms
of certain names whose initial syllable is open and whose second syllable commonly
begins with r’ (Poynton 1989: 62). Here the shortened form closes with <z>, producing
forms like Baz from Barry, Shaz (see also BrE, with the variant Shazzer) from Sharon
and Taz from Terence or Teresa (ibid.: 61–4). A related case is BrE Chas from Charles
or Gaz from Gary.
Multiple naming refers to a practice in which people move freely from one form to
another, whether first names, full or familiar, nicknames or last names. This seems to
indicate a great deal of intimacy.
Generic names, i.e. ones applicable to any male regardless of his actual name, e.g.
bud/buddy, mack, or jack, are applied to a few limited vocations, such as taxi drivers, or
to express belligerent feelings; they can also be used as markers of masculine solidarity,
as what might be called camaraderie forms (see 8.3.5).
Kinship terms A kinship term (KT) may function as a name or as a title.
Grandmother, father and diminutives of them, Granny, Dad, are used as names (notice
that they are always capitalized in this use). Some KTs may combine with a name in the
manner of a title, e.g. Aunt Liz, Uncle Steve, Granma Brown. Generally KT’s are used
upwardly only, from a younger towards an older relative; however, older and rural usage
may sometimes include cousin + FN.
Titles This type of vocative is probably most often used with a last name (T + LN =
TLN). Titles may be classed as vocational (Dr, Prof., Senator etc.), as ranks in the military
or police (Lt, Capt., Gen., Constable, Officer, Sheriff etc.), or as religious (Father, Brother,
Sister, Mother Superior). Most common, however, are the M-forms (Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms,
Master), which are generic ‘titles’ applicable to anyone within the bounds of conventions
regarding age, gender and marital status.
Although these titles, as vocatives, are usually combined with LN (sometimes with
FN alone; see below ‘Region’ and ‘Age’), most of them can be used alone. However,
not all of them can stand alone, for example *Pope (instead of Your Holiness), *King
(for Your Majesty), *Representative (for Congressman, Congresswoman). Quite a number
of these titles have alternative vocative forms, for example, a more informal Judge next
to the distinctly formal courtroom Your Honour, or similarly Prince next to Your
Highness. The M-forms, Mr and Mrs, are used without LN only in relatively restricted
circumstances (and then they are spelled out in writing): Mister sounds rude by itself;
Missus, uncultivated. Instead, it is usual to hear the polite forms sir and ma’am (or the
more formal madam, especially in BrE).
Descriptors Descriptors, the final category of vocatives, are forms of address which,
as the term suggests, contain an element of description. Among these there are numerous
general terms for males only (buddy, chum, fellow, mate, old bean, pal etc.), some for
females only (babe, sister, toots, e.g. the movie Tootsie) and some for both (e.g. plural
folks, guys and people). Besides these there are thing designations for people such as taxi
or room service as well as vocations and functions (e.g. waiter, operator, nurse etc.),
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MODES OF ADDRESS, POWER, SOLIDARITY AND POLITENESS 197