Abstract This article explores the sociopragmatic functions of address terms in social interactions at the University of Calabar Senior Staff Club. It takes into perspective the metalinguistic categories of address terms, their motivations, and the cultural and sociolinguistic parameters that determine their choice among Club members. The study is rooted in social identity theory and community of practice (CoP) analytical framework as are theorized in contemporary sociolinguistic literature. The study identifies nicknames, titles, acronyms, formulaic appellations, clipped personal names and extended personal names as the primary types of address terms in the Club, and articulates that the use of address terms is a social construction of identity that enacts intimacy, fosters collective belonging, and enhances solidarity. Conversely, address terms can also reinforce social division and inequality given the hierarchical structure of the Club which does not license reciprocal use of some address terms. The study concludes that address terms are a site of highly creative use of language which is reflexively framed through humour, clipping, lengthening, language play and other linguistic devices. Generally, address terms provide mechanisms for members to bond socially and adapt flexibly to the socio-academic environment of the Club.

中文翻译：

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尼日利亚大学员工俱乐部中称谓的社会语言学研究

摘要 本文探讨了卡拉巴尔大学高级职员俱乐部社交互动中称谓的社会语用功能。它考虑了地址术语的元语言类别、它们的动机以及决定他们在俱乐部成员中的选择的文化和社会语言参数。该研究植根于社会认同理论和实践社区 (CoP) 分析框架，正如当代社会语言学文献所理论化的那样。该研究将昵称、头衔、首字母缩略词、公式化称谓、剪裁的个人姓名和扩展的个人姓名确定为俱乐部中主要的称呼语类型，并阐明使用称呼语是一种建立亲密关系、促进集体归属感，增强团结。反过来，鉴于俱乐部的等级结构不允许相互使用某些地址术语，地址术语也可以加强社会分裂和不平等。该研究得出的结论是，称谓词是一个高度创造性地使用语言的场所，通过幽默、剪辑、延长、语言游戏和其他语言手段反射性地构成语言。一般来说，地址条款为会员提供社交联系和灵活适应俱乐部的社会学术环境的机制。语言游戏和其他语言设备。一般来说，地址条款为会员提供社交联系和灵活适应俱乐部的社会学术环境的机制。语言游戏和其他语言设备。一般来说，地址条款为会员提供社交联系和灵活适应俱乐部的社会学术环境的机制。