Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[leslie]

Hi,

How do you call your aunt's mother/ uncle's father in English? Are they still called aunt and uncle? Thanks very much.

Leslie

[timtom]

I've never heard a word for it. The only relations I know are:
parents,
brothers/sisters,
grandparents,
aunts/uncles,
cousins,
nieces/nephews (Sons/daughters of brothers/sisters),
great-aunt/uncle (Grandparents siblings)
second-cousins(Sons/daugters of cousins)
I speculate that
third-cousins would be the grandchildren of your cousins.
So maybe you could use
negative second cousins to represent your aunt/uncles parents (but only around mathematicians)

[advoca]

[leslie]

Thank you, timtom, and advoca. Thank you for your prmpot reply.

Leslie

[KazAV]

Confused. If your aunt or uncle is your mother's or father's brother or sister, wouldn't their mother or father be grandmother and grandfather?

For instance, my aunt is my mother's sister. They have the same mother. As my mother's mother is my grandmother, so my aunt's mother is also my grandmother (the same person).

Maybe I have misunderstood the question here.

[advoca]

[timtom]

It could theoretically not be your grandparent, in which case I don't think English has a word for it.
This would be the case where it is the parent of your 'Aunt-in-law' (The woman is not directly related to you, but married one of your parent's brothers (or sisters to be more liberal minded)). In this case the only term I have heard used is Aunt/Uncle's mother/father.

[leslie]

Hi KazAV,

Yes, grandma and grandpa are one of the possibilities too. My question was: what did you call your the parents of your aunts (in-laws, your mother's or father's sisters-in law) and uncles ( your mother's or father's brothers-in law)? Or put it another way, what do you call the parents of your first cousin once (twice) removed ?

We have each single title for the relatives in Chinese, and I was just wondering what they will be called in English.

Thanks!

[KazAV]

In that case Leslie, there are no names in English for them as they are not related to you personally but are just in-laws to your father and mother who married the son or daughter of them (hence are your father's or mother's father-in-law or mother-in-law).

Thanks for clarifying the question

Advoca,

not your fault at all!

[Julz]

Hello Leslie

Your aunt's mother is a "great aunt" and your aunt's father is a "great uncle".
That is what we call them in Australia. I hope this helps.
_________________
Julz

[timtom]

Hmm.... I've heard great-aunt and great-uncle with respect to the brothers/sisters of your grandparents. It's not exactly a common term though, I have only heard it with respect to my own great-uncle, so it could be that my usage is the uncommon one.

[KazAV]

I have to say that I agree with Timtom. In England, your great aunt and great uncle are the sister and brother of your grandparents.

[Julz]

I feel a bit silly now. Yes the parents of your aunt/uncle are also your parents parents, your grandparents.
I think I just got a little confused, I was thinking how my aunt is my daughter's great aunt.
_________________
Julz