As a diminutive, also deminutive, diminutive, deminutivum, the grammar describes the diminution and annihilation of a noun (noun). In German the diminutive is formed by the hanging of -chen or -lein. Often, the root vowel changes to an umlaut (sum → penny). The diminutive can be used for the formation of nicknames, but also for cousins, as well as a rhetorical stylistic (Litotes).
term
The term can be derived from the Latin (deminuere) and can be reduced or reduced, which also derives the name for the mathematical subtraction (minus). Thus the translation already refers to what is at issue: namely, the [linguistically] reducing [or even reducing a noun]. Let us look at an example.
This is not a house, it is a cottage.
In the above example, the noun house was vernied and thus linguistically reduced. A house was built out of the house. It can be seen that the suffixes are appended, and the vowel a has changed to the umlaut. In this example, however, it would also be possible to form the diminutive by appending the endings. Another example:
Give me a bread and six rolls.
In the above example, the noun bread is found and its natification: bread rolls. Again, the final syllables were appended and the vowel was converted into an umlaut. In this case, it is striking that the diminutive bread roll has slipped into our vocabulary and is not so clearly recognizable as vernification. There are numerous nouns that have become independent as diminutive.
Examples of diminutive, which are independent (click me!)
Formation of the diminutive
The reduction form can be formed from any noun (noun) in German which is not itself a reduction (eg bunny, squirrel, …). For this the syllable or little is appended to the word. In some regions as well as dialects, the diminutive is realized by appending -erl (Bavaria, Austria, …).
Furthermore, the respective root vocal of a word becomes the corresponding umlaut. From a, o, and u, therefore, u, o, and u, where e and i are mostly retained. Moreover, in words that end in an unstressed vowel, this is in most cases no longer applicable. Let us look at a few examples.
(1) Can → Döschen, Döslein
(2) Rose → Rosettes, Rosettes
(3) Horse → Horse, Horse
(4) man → male, male
(5) House → Cottage, cottage
The final syllables were added to the above examples, but in some cases unstressed vowels were omitted (1, 2), or the vowels of the stem became umlauts (1, 2, 4, 5). By this change, the reduction form of the nouns was formed. In some regions -erl is needed.
Article of the diminutive
Each noun has a companion. This companion is referred to as an article and indicates which grammatical gender a noun has. This sex is decisive for the formation of the case (case) and is called the genus. One differentiates between feminine (feminine), masculine (male) and neutral (feminine), in order to characterize gender.
The diminutive of a noun is always, therefore, neutral, and thus receives the definite article. It is irrelevant which gender the noun has, for in the diminutive form it always becomes a neuter. This is also illustrated by a few examples.
the bank → the benches, the benches
the sausage → the sausage, the sausage
the dog → the dog, the dog
The above examples illustrate the principle. The definite article of the diminutive is always the reason why the noun is always in the deminutive form. There are no exceptions.
Diminutive as stylistic means
The reduction form can be used as stylistic means. On the one hand, this may be the depreciation or even degradation of a thing, but, on the other hand, the artificial attenuation of a state of affairs or a double negation.
The stylistic means, which affirms something by the double negation, is called Litotes (no trifle, not exactly beautiful, …). However, there is no need to deny something to reinforce or to say the opposite, but can also be reduced. Let’s look at an example.
We must pay a pretty penny for the house.
The above example realizes the litotes by the use of the diminutive. The word sum is weakened by the addition of the endings. From the context, however, it can be understood that the opposite is meant. Accordingly, the mitigation can serve as a form of exaggeration and worsening, which must be developed from the context.
Short overview: The most important thing about the diminutive at a glance
The diminutive is the diminutive of a noun and is formed by the appending of -chen and -lein. In some dialects it is created by appending the final syllable (sack → Sackerl). In the case of nouns ending in an unstressed vowel, these vowels are omitted, whereby the vowel of the vowel also changes to the appropriate umlaut.
The reduction form is used primarily to describe young people and animals, something to be used as a nostalgia, as an understatement, for the identification of small objects or plants within a class as well as for evaluation.
Note: As a stylistic device, the reduction form can appear in the most important way: facts, persons and things are so weaker and unimportant.