Definição e Significado de "vocative case"

What is the "vocative case"?

The vocative case is a grammatical case used to address or call someone directly. It indicates when a speaker is speaking to a person or group rather than talking about them. This case is often used in languages that have different forms for nouns, showing respect, familiarity, or emphasis. For example, in Latin, the word for "friend" changes from "amicus" to "amice" when addressing someone directly. In English, the vocative case is usually marked by using a name or title directly, often set off by commas. In the phrase "Maria, can you help me," "Maria" is in the vocative case, signaling that the speaker is addressing her directly.