期刊名称：International Journal of English and Education
印刷版ISSN：2278-4012
出版年度：2012
卷号：1
期号：1
页码：61-78
出版社：Brahmaputra Publishing House
摘要：Multiethnic societies have a variety of address forms to use due to the mixed nature of theirsociety but does each ethnic group converge or diverge from the addressees needs may bedependent on some social factors. This descriptive study aims to provide some evidence of theMalaysian context by focussing on data collected from four government agencies. The study willprovide a typology of address forms used by the Malaysian public in addressing those serving atthe immigration office, inland revenue department, police stations and court houses located in anurban area within the Klang valley. Data were extracted from public transactions occurringbetween parties who are of Malaysian Chinese, Malay and Indian (Tamil Speakers) descent. Thedemography is also representative of the country. Orthographically transcribed, data were thenanalysed by focussing on the formality of these address forms which may be articulated in therespective languages (Chinese – dialects including Mandarin, Malay and Tamil). Analysis showsthat Malaysians of the three ethnic groups tend to use Malay address forms particularly whenaddressing Malay civil servants serving in these government agencies. Although data serve as atypology of address forms, they will be beneficial to course designers (education) andresearchers working in language and communication as the findings can enable them to see thepower structure of the Malaysian society. This knowledge can also be used for the benefit oftourists and expatriates in this country.
