Sociolinguistic Study Of Address Terms Among Students Of Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya College Of Education

Abstract

Address terms provide important sociolinguistic information about interlocutors, their relationships, and their situations. Address terms in various fields and languages have been studied from various perspectives and with varying emphasis over the last few decades. This current study focused on the use of address terms among students of Nusrat Jahan Ahmadiyya College of Education. Data for this study were gathered using observation, semi-structured interviews, questionnaire, and focus-group discussions. Personal names, descriptive phrases, portfolio-related terms, titles, ethnic-related terms, kinship terms, and endearment terms were found in the study. The research also discovered how address terms reflect identities, mark politeness/respect, indicate relationships, indicate roles and positions, and show familiarity or unfamiliarity. The use of inappropriate address terms is a barrier to effective and successful communication. Inappropriate address terms brings humiliation to the addressee and diminishes his/her confidence. It also brings embarrassment to the addresser and he/she loses public respect and recognition. These findings have significant implications for sociolinguists on the use address terms.