[shinjitsu]

Originally Posted by Nattybumppo

の is used as a question particle in plain form (similar to か). It is also used as a declarative emphatic particle in the speech of females.

「ねてるの？」 = "Are you asleep?"
「ねこ、すきなの！」 = "I like cats!"

this leads me to another question. i have very often seen something like "verbて-form+る" like in "ねてるの". it seems to be a shortened version of "Vて+いる" in spoken japanese, at least the meaning seems to be similar. am i right?

Originally Posted by Nattybumppo

「クロノったら！いつまでねてるの？いいかげんおきな さい！」 = "Crono [scolding tone]! How much longer are you going to sleep? Wake up, you lazy butt!"

this reminds me of the beginning of chrono trigger. i play sometimes the jap. version for practicing^^

anyway thanks, you helped me a lot

Originally Posted by Nyororin

Whoa... Your other explanations were sort of alright, but this one is totally off the mark.

ってば has absolutely nothing to do with names. It`s just adding emphasis.

Thanks for adding this. i am not sure but i have something in mind that ってば isnt used for names only...cant say for sure.