ADDRESS FORMS IN SINGAPORE : AN EXPLORATORY STUDY

Abstract

Use of address mirrors social reality. The study of address forms provides us with a valuable insight into a particular society. This Academic Exercise is an exploratory study of the address forms of the English speaking Chinese in Singapore. A qualitative approach which entails intensive unstructured interviews with selected informants was adopted. The following three main areas of address usage are discussed: (i) Addressing of elder siblings, uncles, aunts and non-kin elders. (ii) Address forms exchanged between superior and subordinate in the employment domain (iii) Address forms used for addressing non-acquaintances, newly-made acquaintances, peers and friends in casual encounters. The address forms discussed reveal the unique position of the English-speaking Chinese who "inhabit two major zones of cultural values - the English and the Chinese zones". Their address system reflects the influence of the Chinese language and its associated cultural values on the English language. The resulting address system indicates a unique synthesis of the Western and Chinese traditions and values. The address system of the English-speaking Chinese provides us with a valuable insight into the cultural values and attitudes of this group and the nature of Singapore society in general.