【正文】 evitable. Organization of this Paper This thesis adopts the parative way to study Chinese and English address terms, including kinship terms, social address terms (nonkinship terms), selection of respect and honorific words and further analysis of reasons of such differences. 第 3 頁(yè) 共 24 頁(yè) Chapter 2 Differences in Kinship Terms Language is the carrier of culture. kinship term is not only a part of language but also a kind of culture. Kinship systems are a universal feature of language. They are the lexically identical terms and unique terminological systems labeled with a distinctive social and cultural nature. In different societies and cultures, there must be different systems of kinship terms. Behind the vast differences between Chinese and English kinship terms are different social structures (hierarchy and equality), interpersonal relationships (power and solidarity) and value systems (collectivism and individualism) of two different cultures. Divisions of Kinship Terms Kinship term is a feature of Chinese culture and English culture. There are two mon points between English and Chinese kinship address terms: one is the quantities of both experience a process from more to less 。 the other is that some basic address words have equal meanings in both languages, for instance, father, mother, son, daughter, husband and wife. Meanwhile, most of the address words have different forms in the two languages and such phenomenon reflects different social and cultural backgrounds of their own. The Difference by Patriarchal and NonPatriarchal Clans Generally speaking, patriarchal clan is regarded as the basic unit of Chinese traditional social structure. The fundamental frame of patriarchal clan is as follows: Terms such as uncle, aunt, grandpa, granny, sisters and brother are used as honorific titles for senior people or strangers. Native speakers of English would be puzzled if they are addressed in this way by people outside the immediate family. And also the kinship terms for both the paternal and maternal sides in Chinese culture are different. However, the English kinship terms, such as uncle, cousin, aunt, grandpa and 第 4 頁(yè) 共 24 頁(yè) grandma have no difference between paternal and maternal sides. One of the most distinct features of Chinese kinship address forms is that patriarchal and nonpatriarchal clans are strictly distinguished, that is to say, various relationships are clearly reflected and not obscured with each other. For example, in China, 外 , a morpheme expressing nonpatriarchal clans, is usually used to address relatives on mother’s, sister’s or daughter’s side. According to Analytical Dictionary of Chinese Characters (說(shuō)文解字 ), the original meaning of 外 in Chinese is far and away. The address customs, therefore, just adopted the extended meaning. Kinship terminology, in English, may be difficult to express because patriarchal and nonpatriarchal clans in addressing, order and position in the family are not classified clearly. The English kinship terms, such as uncle, cousin, aunt, grandpa and grandma have no differences between paternal and maternal sides. In china, terms such as uncle, aunt, grandpa, grandmother, sisters and brothers are used as honorific titles for senior people or strangers. And also the kinship terms for both the paternal and maternal sides in Chinese culture are different. Difference of Paternal and Maternal Kinship Terms Traditionally, China is a patriarchy society in its long history. Furthermore, Chinese moral principles focus on the Close and the Distant (親疏 ), the Inside and outside (內(nèi)外 ). Maternal relation is regarded as Distant (疏 ) and Outside (外 ), otherwise, paternal relation is regulated in the close (親 ) and the inside (內(nèi) ). People form other countries may feel confused and shocked about Chinese special manners and customs. An unbalanced phenomenon, therefore, widely exists in Chinese address forms: the words of male kinship are more delicate than those female ones. For example, father’s elder brother (伯伯 ), father’s little brother (叔父 ), the former’s wife (伯母 ), the latter’s wife (嬸嬸 )。 whereas mother’s elder or little brother has an only expression in Chinese address forms. And sisters on mother’s side and on father’s side are equally called 姑姑 or 阿姨 (no division of elder or younger), which proves another tradition of Chinese society: regarding men as superior to women from people’s inner heart and the whole society. 第 5 頁(yè) 共 24 頁(yè) While in English, the difference about sex and paternal or maternal is not clear: uncle and aunt represent brother and sister of one’s mother and father, cousin represents 堂兄弟姐妹 and 表兄弟姐妹 . Kinship terms and usages are more plex than those in English culture. This phenomenon may be explained by the different concepts of family (家庭觀 ) and social background. Divisions by Elderyounger Relation and Seniority Order in the Clan Generally speaking, traditional Chinese society advocates the principle of all the members inhabiting together from generation to generation, bringing honor to their ancestors. For this reason, regulation of the patriarchal clan must be maintained and senior or junior order in the clan is regarded as a key yardstick. While addressing others, People in China must pay much attention to obey this principle in order not to bee the laughing stock. In Chinese address system, In different generation, however, the elder generation may address the younger one with not only surnames but also full names(including family names) Grandparents call the son’s children 孫子(grandson) or 孫女 (granddaughter), the daughter’s children 外孫 (grandson) or 外孫女 (granddaughter). 外 indicates they have a different surname, of different family name. While addres