Pragmatic Functions Of Address Forms

The address form is an important linguistic category in vcrl)al communication; however, the study of address forms has bcen conlincd to the scope of sociolinguistics. In order to enrich linguistic study and help readers have a better understanding of address forms, this dissertation attempts to have a systematic discussion on pragmatic functions of address forms from three aspects: the interpersonal function, the illocutionary function and the cultural function. The author starts this paper with a theoretical survey of address forms. Then she presents the definition and classification of address forms. After probing into pragmatic functions of address forms, the author analyzes pragmatic differences between Chinese and English address forms from the perspective oi?culture. The present research on addrcss forms has great sigtiiticancc in Eiiglisli language tcaehing in China. It sparkles with su~cstioiis fur future research.