A SOCIOLINGUISTIC INVESTIGATION INTO THE USE OF "OOM" AND "TANNIE" AS FORMS OF ADDRESS BETWEEN AFRIKAANS PEOPLE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Although research on the forms of address toward adults in the South African context has been done in the past (see Brown and Gilman 1960; Odendal 1976; Wybenga 1982; and Kotzé 1983), there does remain a gap in research... [ view full abstract ]

Although research on the forms of address toward adults in the South African context has been done in the past (see Brown and Gilman 1960; Odendal 1976; Wybenga 1982; and Kotzé 1983), there does remain a gap in research concerning the use of oom and tannie (“uncle” and “aunt”) between Afrikaans speakers. This study focuses on this unique form of address in Afrikaans, which is not, as in Dutch or German, only reserved for actual family or close family friends.

The investigative study will report on empirical research which entails a mixed methods approach to data collection. The aim is not only to render quantitative data, but also to provide insight into how (and if) norms of Afrikaans forms of address, specifically represented by the use of oom and tannie, have changed, by establishing how, when and why Afrikaans speakers us these forms. These insights will be obtained by means of questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, systematic observation and (social) media. The respective age groups that participated in this study range from age four to 80 years and older.

The use of specific forms of address – or lack thereof – is subject to certain variables, which usually indicates something about the addressee, the speaker, formality as well as the type of social interaction between people. Variables such as age, race (a sensitive topic in South Africa), and social background will be considered. By including these variables, the study will represent a new, 21^st century contribution to existing research on forms of address, partly because Afrikaans is a minority language within a landscape of English as major form of communication in 21^st century South Africa.

References

Brown, R. and A. Gilman. 1960. The pronouns of power and solidarity. In Sebeok, T.A. (ed.) 1960.

Kotzé, E.F. 1983. Variasiepatrone in Maleierafrikaans. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Johannesburg: University of Johannesburg.

Odendal, F.F. 1976. Oor die aanspreekvorme in Afrikaans. [About forms of address in Afrikaans]. In De Klerk, W.J. and F.A. Ponelis (eds.). 1976, 105–113.

Wybenga, D.M. 1982. "Wie sal die wa smeer?". In Van Jaarsveld (ed.) 1982: 341-353.