DOUBLET PERSONAL ACCUSATIVE AND DATIVE PRONOUN FORMS MEN AND MENE, TEB AND TEBE ACCORDING TO LINGUISTIC SENSE OF MODERN BULGARIANS

Abstract

This paper investigates the use of doublet full pronouns men and mene (1st person singular accusative/dative) and teb and tebe (2nd person singular accusative/dative). It aims to determine how the preferences of contemporary Bulgarian speakers are influenced by the context of communication, whether formal or informal. The hypothesis suggests that the shortened forms (men and teb) are predominantly used in official settings, while the longer forms (mene and tebe) are preferred in informal situations. The study employed an anonymous online survey to assess participants' choices between the two forms across various contexts. Results indicate that preferences are context-dependent: short forms align with literary language, while long forms convey informality. Additionally, the usage of long forms increases in emotionally charged or negative statements. A qualitative analysis of responses highlights the need for further exploration of factors affecting pronoun selection, including euphony, intonation, and pronoun positioning.