Abstract:

Based on the theoretical knowledge of social status and Politeness Principle，this thesis makes further exploration and study of social stratum impact on choosing words.  First, the thesis introduces the definition of social stratum, categories of social stratum and the research at home and abroad. Then, according to the two social stratums’ way of using words in TV drama DEVIOUS MAIDS, this thesis introduces their characteristics and the differences of choosing words. At last, the reasons of forming these characteristics are analyzed in the aspects of education level, current occupation and family background. Understanding social stratum impact on choosing words can help us to choose the right words when we talk to different social groups. What’s more, we can judge persons’ social stratum when we communicate with them.

Key words: social stratum; choosing words; DEVIOUS MAIDS

摘要:

借助社会阶层和礼貌原则的理论知识，本课题将研究社会阶层对人们交际选词的影响。本文首先介绍社会阶层的定义、分类和国内外一些研究，以及礼貌原则的准则。然后根据美剧《蛇蝎女佣》中两个社会阶层的用语，介绍他们在用词上的特点和区别。最后从教育背景，社会地位和职业等级等方面分析这些特点和区别存在的原因。通过了解社会阶层对交际选词的影响，一方面有利于我们在与不同社会阶层的人对话时，选择合适的词汇，从而达到更好的交际效果。另一方面我们也可以通过他人的交际选词来判断其他社会成员的社会阶层。

关键词：社会阶层; 交际选词; 蛇蝎女佣

1．Introduction
Language is a social phenomenon which can reflect the social development. At the same time, language is affected by society, and it plays an important role in a person’s social life. Language is used not only to convey meaning but also to establish and maintain social relationships. The word is the basic unit of language. Thus, people’s choice of words using can reflect their social stratums. Sociolinguists regard the word being used by the speaker and the addressee as the social acts and take for granted that the word could reflect social stratum of the speakers, especially stratum discrepancy between people of higher social stratum and people of lower social stratum, Meanwhile, people of different social stratum would use different words. The word is a reflection of social stratum, and people of different social stratum would consciously and unconsciously use words marked with their own characteristics. For example, when we talk, we would use different addressing forms to address people according to their social stratum and would also adopt words which accords our social stratum．According to the two social stratums’ way of using words in TV drama DEVIOUS MAIDS, this thesis will analyze their characteristics and the differences; so that the readers can know more about how the social stratum influences the way in which people choose words in daily life.