Abstract:
The aim of this study was to explore the forms of address and terms of reference used
by students to address their lecturers at the University of Limpopo. The study
discovered that, there were many ways in which forms of address and terms of
reference are used. The theory of pronouns of power and solidarity by Brown and
Gilman (1960) is implemented. Data are collected using face-to-face and telephone
interviews from a sample of fifteen (15) University of Limpopo postgraduate students
majoring in languages and linguistics in Turfloop, Limpopo, South Africa, however, ten
(10) participants satisfied the notion of data saturation. This is because the participants
were giving slightly similar information. The study found that there are two types of
forms of address which are used by the University of Limpopo students which are
Names and Titles. Addressing lecturers by first name, last name, nickname or title plus
first name symbolises closer relationship between student and lecturers whereas,
addressing lecturers by title only or title plus last name represents a limited relationship
between the lecturer and student. It is found that most of postgraduate students address
lecturers depending on the relationship existing between them and the lecturers. It has
been found that, the factors that influence choice of forms of address are setting,
respect, degree of intimacy, age and culture; and factors that influence the use of terms
of reference are setting and respect. The data obtained reveal that undergraduate
students, especially first years are not aware of the importance of forms of address. And
it has been found that students promote the idea of the implementation of a rule(s) or
policy regarding the importance of forms of address.
