Factors determining the choice of personal names in the discourse of a dialect speaker

Abstract

The article describes factors that influence the choice of personal names in the dialect speaker's speech. Names are central to the anthroponymy of an ordinary native language speaker. There are complete, incomplete and qualitative forms of names. The choice of the personal name is conditioned by some factors. Firstly, the choice is determined by the culture type of a person who is considered as a language personality. Secondly, the choice depends on the presence or absence of personal contacts between the communicants who name and who are named, on the regularity or irregularity of their communication and degree of their affinity. Most residents of Vershinino, the village where many features of the traditional country society are preserved, have known each other for a long time and, as a result, their blood and non-blood relations are well-developed and supported. In addition, there is an age factor influencing the choice of the name form. Elderly people are usually called by full name according to the speech etiquette. The rule of the Vershinino dialect applies to both vocative using and mentioning somebody in speech. A dialect speaker of Vershinino tells they do not use a full name when addressing young relatives and children of the village. Derivatives with suffix -ka have no emotional and evaluative connotations; however, they have some stylistic pejoration. They are used extensively just for mentioning the young in speech. Along with the age factor there is a gender one. Elderly men's full names are used much more than women's. It is significant how the dialect speaker names her brothers and sisters with minor age differences. The presence or absence of the person named (and his/her relatives) is important in the communicative act, too. The preference of a complete or incomplete name form depending on the age is reflected by calling namesakes: the full name is for the elder member of a family, the short name is for the young one. If an elderly individual is not treated with respect by the country society, there is a deviation from the etiquette norm of using his/her full name. When using qualitative forms of names, the speaker's attitude to the person named has a decisive role. The speech practice of the language personality proves that meliorative forms predominate over pejorative ones. Affectionate diminutive names are addressed to little children and the only son who died young. They are used widely to express sympathy and compassion. There is also a positive attitude to persons named in etiquette situations such as requesting, gratitude, declining, and others. Pejorative forms are rarely used. They express either disapproval of any actions and behavior or disdainful attitude to an antisocial individual of the country community. Among factors determining the choice of the name is the traditional name of a person in his/her family. As far as there are parallel derivations of most incomplete forms, the language personality commonly relies on the form which is used in the person's family. The discursive practice of the informant proves that all the above-listed factors show all-Russian foundations relevant to all Russian speakers, norms of dialect speech communication and some individual features of the language personality in their unique confluence.