Keywords

address-form choice among equals, Latter-day Saint naming practices, title vs. first-name usage patterns

Abstract

In communities where potentially every member has a title (doctors, teachers, or other workplaces), it has been shown that title + last name (TLN) is typically used for older or unfamiliar addressees while first name (FN) is directed towards those who are younger or familiar (Brown & Gilman 1960). While many studies have analyzed address forms between individuals with varying status or age differences (Brown & Ford 1961; Ervin-Tripp 1971; Wood & Ryan 1991; Dickey 1997), interactions between equals remain relatively unstudied. Latter-day Saints (Mormons) are of particular interest since they commonly use address forms for other members and call each other Brother or Sister followed by a surname (Fogg 1990). This study therefore analyzes factors that determine address forms between equals in a Latter-day Saint congregation in Athens, Georgia.

Original Publication Citation

Joseph A. Stanley. “Brother Bell’s Audience Types: Forms of Address among Latter-day Saint Young Adults”. 82nd Meeting of the Southeastern Conference on Linguistics (SECOL82). Raleigh, NC. April 9–11, 2015