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- Title
Non-kin forms of address in Hindi.
- Authors
Mehrotra, R.R.
- Abstract
This article describes the non-kin forms of address in Hindi in relation to the sociocultural setting of the dyads using them. Address forms embody a crucial stage in face-to-face interaction and represent a special aspect of relational language. They serve not merely as a bridge between the individuals but also as a kind of emotional capital which can be invested and manipulated in order to achieve a specific result. The differential usage of address terms has been institutionalized as a means of defining and affirming both identity and status of the speaker and the addressee. Use of honorifics is a common trait of most oriental languages. When a speaker wishes to show respect of the addressee, he adds honorifics to his name or title. A popular form of address in Hindi consists of a term denoting the addressee's occupation with or without name of honorific. Such models reveal instantly the occupation of the person addressed. The importance of setting or locale as a factor determining the choice of a form of address in the present context can not be underestimated. The change of place will call for a different mode of address, the dyad remaining the same. The consideration of locale looms large over all other considerations governing the choice of a linguistic form.
- Subjects
FORMS of address; TITLES of honor &; nobility; SALUTATIONS; HINDI language; HINDUSTANI language; LANGUAGE &; culture; SOCIOLINGUISTICS
- Publication
International Journal of the Sociology of Language, 1981, Vol 1981, Issue 32, p121
- ISSN
0165-2516
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1515/ijsl.1981.32.121