A Comparative Study Of Address Terms In Chinese And American Social Contexts

Address terms are an important part of language and closely related to native cultures. The Chinese and English address terms systems come into being under different cultural backgrounds and the disparities of the two systems are inevitable. This thesis adopts the comparative way to study Chinese and English address terms. To the convenience of comparison, Chinese and English address terms in this thesis are restricted to the address terms used in Chinese and American social contexts. In both Chinese and American social contexts, the appropriate use of address terms is always regarded as adequate politeness. In this thesis, the theoretical structure is composed of two parts: one is the interpersonal politeness and power put forward by Scollons, and the other is the politeness principle put forward by Gue Yueguo. The former is based on western cultural background and to some extent it is applied universally. The theory can explain the polite use of English address terms very well and that of Chinese address terms to some extent. The latter is based on Chinese cultural background, and it can give a full explanation for the polite use of Chinese address terms.At first, this thesis makes a comparative study of kinship terms, social address terms, names of address, and pronouns of address. Generally speaking, the Chinese address terms system is much more complicated than the English address terms system. After the comparison, the theory of politeness systems is adopted to analyze the use of address terms in Chinese and American social contexts. In Chinese social context, the power relationship is the main relationship among people. The differences in age and social status are the main causes for power difference. Therefore, the hierarchical politeness system is the main system governing the use of address terms. The popular use of kinship terms and titles can prove this point. In American social context, the solidarity relationship has surpassed the power relationship and become the main relationship among people. Therefore, the solidarity politeness system is the main politeness system governing the use of address terms. The popularity of first names is good evidence. Then, this thesis analyzes the politeness strategies of Chinese and English address terms. In American social context, address terms are used as involvement politeness strategy and independence politeness strategy, while in Chinese social context, besides these two politeness strategies, address terms are also used as self-denigration politeness strategy, other-elevation politeness strategy, appropriate addressing politeness strategy, refinement politeness strategy and attitudinal warmth politeness strategy. After that, this thesis analyzes the deep cultural roots for differences between Chinese and English address terms. Chinese culture values collectivism, while American culture values individualism; Chinese culture values kinship, while American culture does not; Chinese culture values extended family, while American culture values nuclear family; Chinese culture is past-orientated, while American culture is future-orientated; Chinese culture values high power distance, while American culture values low power distance. At last, this thesis discusses the use of address terms in cross-cultural communication. The misuse of address terms results from two factors: lack of knowledge about target culture and interference of native culture. Therefore, people should be more sensitive to the cultural differences and try to adopt the way of addressing in target culture or negotiate over address terms to facilitate smooth cross-cultural communication.