Aangesprokene

Aangesprokene is a Dutch noun formed from the verb aanspreken, meaning to address or speak to someone. It denotes the person or persons to whom something is addressed, such as a speech, letter, or legal notice. The term is most commonly encountered in formal, historical, or rhetorical contexts. In everyday Dutch, speakers more often use expressions like de aangesprokene or de geadresseerde to indicate the addressee; aangesprokene remains more literary or specialized.

Etymology and form: Aangesprokene combines the verb stem aansprek- with a participial suffix to create a substantive referring to the person being addressed. The language treats it as a masculine or feminine noun depending on context, with the definite article de typical in singular usage. Plural forms vary by author and text, with forms such as de aangesprokenen or de aangesprokenden appearing in different sources.

Usage notes: In rhetoric and discourse analysis, aangesprokene is used to discuss how a speaker directly addresses the audience. It is also found in historical documents, legal drafts, and formal letters to identify the addressee. In modern, everyday prose, it is less common and may be replaced by more common terms like geadresseerde or de geadresseerde partij.

Examples: De aangesprokene werd opgeroepen tot reactie. In officiële correspondentie kan men lezen: Geachte aangesproken, of Geachte aangesprokene, met verwijzing naar de addressee.

Related terms: aangesproken (the past participle used in passive constructions), aanspreken (to address), geadresseerde (the addressee), addressee in legal or formal Dutch.