vokativní

Vokativní is a term used in linguistics to describe a grammatical case, specifically the vocative case. This case is employed when a noun or pronoun is used to address someone or something directly. It is distinct from other cases that indicate the subject, object, or possession of a noun.

The vocative case is found in many languages, although its presence and form vary significantly. In some languages, such as Latin and Ancient Greek, the vocative case has distinct forms that differ from the nominative (subject) form. For instance, in Latin, the vocative of *dominus* (lord/master) is *domine*.

In other languages, the vocative case may have faded or merged with other cases. In modern English, for example, there isn't a distinct morphological form for the vocative case. We use the nominative form to address people, as in "John, could you pass the salt?" Here, "John" is in the nominative form but functions vocatively. However, in older forms of English and in certain poetic or archaic contexts, vocative forms might have existed or been implied.

Languages that retain a clear vocative case often use it to emphasize direct address and can distinguish it from the subject of the sentence. The usage of the vocative case adds a layer of clarity and stylistic nuance in languages where it is present. Its presence or absence is a characteristic feature of a language's grammatical system.