A Study of Address Terms in a Workplace Speech Community (SC)

Abstract

The present paper examines personal address terms in a workplace speech community (SC). The study considers the extent to which the address terms in this SC align with the suggestion that choosing a particular address term among multiple others shows how the speaker views the relationship between himself and others. The study also shows how societal norms tend to contribute to, or deeply influence, the choice of address forms. In this speech community, some address terms, which may be taken as exceptions in other contexts, are in fact the norms here. Thus, any deviation from this norm may lead to misunderstandings and subsequently, to disruptions in the interaction, due to what the term chosen may connote. Speakers might shift from one reference term to the other depending on who the other interactant is. The study further examines other factors that may affect the choice of address terms, such as power and solidarity derived from the nature of work, age, country of origin or perceived closeness among the interlocutors.