Abstract：Addressing term is an inseparable part of human verbal communication. One can not only use appellations to call the attention of others, but also to show the relationship between them. Addressing terms are kinds of linguistic routines of politeness which reflect customs and conventions of a speech community. They have long been considered as a salient indicator of interpersonal relationship. Addressing term is a word or a combination of words people use in addressing others during the specific interpersonal relationships in verbal communication. It shows the social and cultural or interpersonal relationship in specific language environment. People in the society can have many social identities and always play different roles in communication. With the change of the communication goal, people also can change the role they play. The addressing term is the product of a particular culture and interpersonal cultural symbols. Language is the carrier of culture, which is an important part of culture. From intercultural point of view, this paper makes a comparison between Chinese and English addressing terms and analyses the social and cultural elements behind the differences on the basis of family structures, values and sense of hierarchy and so on.
Key Words: Addressing terms; language; culture; society

摘  要：称谓语是人类言语交际中不可分割的一部分。称谓语的使用不仅可以引起人们的注意，而且显示了人与人之间的关系。称谓语是种语言上的礼貌，显示了一个语言群体的文化习惯和习俗。称谓语在很长时间里被认为是凸显人际关系的指示器。称谓是人们在有特定的人际关系的言语交际中用来称呼对方的一个单词或是单词的联合。称谓语显示了在特定的语言环境中社会、文化和人与人之间的关系。一个人在社会上可以具有多种社会身份，在交流中总是扮演着不同的社会角色。随着交际对象的改变人们也相应的变换着他们扮演的角色。称谓语是特定文化的产物，是人际关系的符号。语言是文化的载体，是文化的重要组成部分。本文是从跨文化角度对中英称谓语作了一个比较以及在社会和文化元素背后家庭结构不同的基础上，价值观和意义上的层次等等方面的分析。
关键词：称谓语；语言；文化；社会

In this modern society, cross-cultural verbal communication becomes more and more important, which has also become a striking feature of modern communication. We can see the cultural differences everywhere. The verbal environment cultural factors have attracted universal attention. Appellation language is a huge language and culture system. The addressing term is the name derived through relatives and other aspects of the relationship, identity and occupation. Each language has its own unique appellation and address system, in order to express some relationships or to show the differences between identities, status, and occupation. Different culture and different social organizational structure have a different address system.