Address System
Most languages have specific linguistic features that mark the relationship of the
speakers. In English this relationship is marked by the use of address system. In
America, for example, people who know each other well use first name in both informal
and formal situations (such as
James
for
James Arthur Phillips
). When people do not
know each other well or who differ in status the formal address: title + family (last)
name is used such as Dr. Johnson, Ms. Newman, etc. For American it is possible to
change from a formal address to the informal one, but the superior (in age, position,
etc.) should suggest it. For example:
A.
Why don’t you call me Bill?
B.
All right, Bill (Tillit and Bruder, 1993: 15).
In Indonesia the choice of address words usage is very complicated because of the
wide range of addressing forms. Kridalaksana in Chaer and Agustina (2004: 172-173)
states:
“There are nine kinds of addressing forms, namely: (1) pronoun such as
engkau
and
kamu
; (2) proper names such as
Dika
and
Nita
; (3) kinship terms
such as
bapak
,
ibu
,
kakak
, and
adik
; (4) title and rank such as
profesor
,
letnan
, and
kolonel
; (5) nominative forms of the doer (pe + verba) such as
penonton
,
pendengar
, and
peminat
; (6) nominative forms + ku such as
Tuhanku
,
bangsaku
, and
anakku
; (7) deictic words such as
sini
,
situ
, or
di
situ
; (8) the others nominative forms such as
awak
,
bung
, and
tuan
; and (9)
zero form, without word.”
Parafrase Vol. 10 No. 01 Februari 2010
6
When an Indonesian wants to address someone, he or she must decide what
appropriate address form he or she must use. He or she must consider whether the
addressee is older, equal, younger, or children; whether the social status is higher, equal,
or lower; whether the situation is formal or informal; whether the relationship with the
addressee is close or not; whether the addressee is a woman or a man; etc. All of these
factors will determine what address form is the most appropriate to use.
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