| Abstract [eng] |
This thesis investigates the usage of singular and plural forms of address in contemporary Lithuanian. The objects of this research are pronouns tu, jūs and (or) second-person verbs used when addressing the interlocutor. The author of this study was motivated by a difficult and not always fluent choice between singular and plural forms of address, which is caused by diverse social and psychological variables. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to analyze how and why singular and plural forms of addresses are used when addressing the interlocutor in Lithuanian and what specific factors affect the usage. The research data consists of 111 filled discourse completion test questionnaires and 6 semi-structured in-depth interviews. Quantitative and qualitative research methods were combined in data analysis. Based on the results of the analysis, it can be stated that the distribution between forms of address in quantitative part of the study is approximately equal. Statistically significant variables are sex and age. However, as the qualitative part of the research shows, the usage of these forms depends on different variables and their interaction in a specific situation. Plural forms of address generally convey respect, formality, distance, while singular forms indicate intimacy, familiarity. In some cases, the switch between forms of address is caused by agreement, in other cases – occurs naturally and means changes of social or psychological circumstances. The choice between singular and plural forms of address is often complex, therefore, the interlocutors try to avoid it and balance between official and familiar addressing. |
