Abstract:
This study investigated address terms used in Iraqw speech
community. It dealt with four major categories of address terms frequently
employed to address people within the community, their social usage and
the role of age, sex, status and family relationship in the choice of address
terms. Data were collected through observations and interviews. The results
revealed that, address terms depicted the social relationship that exists
between the speaker and addressee. In this case, there are address terms
used to show relations among family members, relatives, non-family
members, and strangers. The choice of address terms was governed by
social variables. Among other variables: age, sex, status, and family
relationship between the addresser and addressee play a significant role to
determine the choice of address terms in Iraqw community. Failure to
consider those variables in the context of conversation among Iraqw people
do not only risk interpersonal relationship among the interlocuters but also
result into communication breakdown. It is recommended that Iraqw
speakers should consider the social variables that govern the conversation
between the speaker and addressee for effective and fruitful social
interactions.
