declension ? on conversational Latin

[CarolHS]

In the conversational Latin on pg 74 of LCI, please tell me why the ending on discipule in "Salve, discipule" is "e." What declension is that? We're a little confused. We just learned the 2nd dec. masc. Is this a 2nd dec. feminine or neuter? And why?

Thanks for any help!
Carol

[Mungo]

I believe it's a second declension masculine noun, vocative case.

[abbey]

Yes, it's a vocative ending, meaning it's used for direct address. For some reason vocative endings aren't learned in the normal paradigms for declensions... Vocatives are used for personal names too. Someone whose name is "Rufus" becomes "Rufe" when you are addressing him directly, or "Claudius" becomes "Claudi", for instance.

Since discipulus is a 2nd declension, masculine noun, it is always a 2nd declension masculine noun. Nouns do not change their declension or their gender. (Adjectives do change their gender to match the nouns...)

[Maria]

The vocative case is not taught in LC. Even in Henle I, the vocative case is not taught until you're halfway through the book...

Maria

[CarolHS]

Thanks for the information. That is what I needed.
Carol