Address and Reference Terms in Lithuanian Dinner Discourse

Abstract

This article aims at analyzing Lithuanian address and reference terms in family dinner context, their
linguistic expressions, frequency and functions. 10 Lithuanian middle-class families were filmed during a
dinner. Conversations were transcribed extensively and then analyzed. The findings fall into 6 major categories
- first names and kinship names in the Vocative case, first names and kinship names with diminutive suffixes in
all cases, collocations of nouns and diminutive nominals, first names with a pejorative suffix, first names with
solidarity oriented endings, nicknames and endearment terms, and neutral reference terms. They have different
impact on face work.