Changes in Address Terms A Sociolinguistics Study of Chinese Kinship

Terms in Northeastern China

Jinxiao Song

References• [1] Hugh D. R Baker Chinese family and kinship, Columbia University Press,1979, page1~2.• [2] Chinese family tree from website: http://mandarinmeister.com/culture/chinese-

familytree-paternal-relatives/#.UoG9SJFO2Dk• [3] Wei Cao, Appellation and Addressing Terms in Modern Chinese, School of Literature,

Suzhou University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China. Journal of Jiangsu University(Social Sciences) Vol. 7 No.2 Mar, 2005.

• [4] Xizhen Qin, Choice in terms of address, a study of Chinese and American EnglishPractices, proceedings of the 20th North American Conference on Chinese Linguistics(NACCL-20), 2008. vol. 1 page 409-421

• [5] Chao, Yuenren. Chinese terms of address. Language,1956. Vol 1.page217-41.• [6] Xizhen Qin, Choice in terms of address, a study of Chinese and American English Practices,

proceedings of the 20th North American Conference on Chinese Linguistics(NACCL-20), 2008. vol. 1 page 409-421

• [7] Roger Brown and Marguerite Ford, 'Address in American English', The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, Vol 62(2), Mar 1961, 375-385.

• [8] Barbara H. Settles, Ph.D. The one child policy and its impact on Chinese families,from the web: http://www.hdfs.udel.edu/files/pdf/OneChildPolicy.pdf

Hypothesize

One child policy (1970s)

• Only one child in each family

Family structure simplified

• No more siblings

Some kinship term diminishing

• Paternal and maternal kinship terms

• Forgot how to address my cousins

cousins

Uncles and aunts

Forms of kinship terms

1.Linear order + Title is the most commonly, loosely used form2.Four forms of address can not be used to address higher generations: FN; LN+FN; FN+TITLE; Nickname+ Title; Nickname

3. Difference between prefix biao [bi ʊ] andɑ� tang [tʰ ŋ] ɑ�are becoming obscure for young generations.

Why?

• Why similarity: – Vocatives are used more loosely. – People choose terms that are easy to remember.– Relatives of the same or lower generations can be

addressed by name. • FN; Nickname related address forms

• Why differences: – Looser kinship network

• 3 generation family 24.3% in 1982 → 18% in 1994• Due to economy development and one child policy.

Thank you