|
Diminutive forms of words are commonly used in every-day Australian English. While many dialects of English make use of diminutives, Australian English uses them more extensively than any other. Diminutives may be seen as slang, but many forms are used widely across the whole of society. Some forms have also spread outside Australia to other English speaking countries. There are over 5,000 identified diminutives in use in Australian English.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Why we shorten barbie, footy and arvo )〕〔http://alldownunder.com/australian-slang/dictionary-diminutives.htm〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=A word in your ear: Diminutives )〕 ==Usage== In Australian English, diminutives are usually formed by taking the first part of a word, and adding an ''a'', ''o'', ''ie'', or ''y''. Alternatively in some cases no ending may be used. While the form of a diminutive is arbitrary, their use follows strict rules. Diminutives are not used creatively. For example, an ambulance paramedic is called an ''ambo'', and is never pronounced ''ambie'' or ''amba''. The use of the 'ie' ending, for example in ''bikie'', (a motorcycle club member), does not carry a connotation of smallness or cuteness as it does in other English dialects. Some diminutives are almost always used in preference to the original form, while some are rarely used. Others might be restricted to certain demographic groups or locations. The use of diminutives also evolves over time with new words coming into use and falling out of favour. Some diminutives have become so common that the original form has fallen out of common usage. For example, ''Salvos'' has begun to replace the name ''Salvation Army'' to such an extent that some Australians do not recognise the Salvation Army name.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Transcript )〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Aussies diminutives )〕 ''Deli'' has become so universal that ''delicatessen'' is rarely used. Some words, such as ''ute'', from utility vehicle, a car with a tray back, have become universal. Some diminutives are rarely used, but widely recognised. For example, ''chalkie'' means ''teacher'', however most Australians simply call a teacher a teacher. Diminutives are often used for place names, and are only recognised by people in the local area, for example, cot, for ''Cottesloe Beach'' in Perth, ''Parra'' for ''Parramatta'' in Sydney and ''Broadie'' for ''Broadmeadows'' in Melbourne. Pub and hotel names in particular are often shortened. For example, pubs called the Esplanade Hotel, such as the (Esplanade Hotel in St. Kilda, will often be called the ''The Espy''. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Diminutives in Australian English」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|