【文章內容簡介】 ructor has a Ph D, he may also be called “Dr” plus his surname.The third is “Boss”. “Boss” is an exception of the social appellation. Bosses are not addressed by their title and surname, but it can be addressed by their surname plus “l(fā)aoban”. In informal conversation or in relatively friendly environments, it is mon to call one’s director “boss”, but remember that the word “boss” is not a title. If you are an American addressing your supervisor, in most cases you will call him by his given name just as you address colleagues on the same level as yourself (Liu Lishan, 2006: 8). If the superior is several degrees above you in the organization hierarchy, you are expected to call the person “Mr.” plus surname. In America, the young employees are free to call older, even much older coworkers by their given names, which sounds not intimate to nonAmericans, but it is so monplace in the US that it could note nothing at all about their relations. However, in Chinese, the word “boss” can be used in two situations. One is that it is truly showing the relation between speakers. For example, A is an employer and B is an employee. Therefore, B should call A “boss”. The other is that it is not really showing the relation between speakers. For instance, A is a person going to a shop, no matter where it is, to buy something. And always A would call the owner of the shop, whether young or old, male or female, say, “boss”, which is quite different from that of English. Name appellationEveryone in the world has some names: family name, given name, and nickname, which can be called by other people under some situation. In Chinese, we get the following forms ( Net. 1):(1) Addressing one’s name directly: Dahai, Xiaohua, etc.In Chinese, this kind is often used among classmates and workmates, to show the respect between speaker and listener.(2) Addressing surname and name directly: Liu Dehua, Qian Zhongshu, etc.It is seldom used in China. However, sometimes, when doing something wrong, he/she would be called in this form to express the speaker’s anger and madness.(3) Nickname: Pingguo, Digua, Panzi, etc.Addressing one’s nickname is a kind of informal appellation. For example, parents would call their children’s nickname no matter where they are. Similarly, it might be used on campus, but it is used between people you know well. If not, people would be angry with you when you call his / her nickname in some formal situations, because it is considered as disrespect and rudeness.Similarly, we have the following forms of name appellation in English (Net. 1):(1) Addressing the first name directly: Mary, John, David, Sophia, etc. This is the most mon form and it can show the culture and custom of western countries as well.(2) Using affectionate form of appellation: Davy, Sonia, Mariana, York, etc.In western countries, this form can show closer relationship than using first name and most people prefer to use appellation in this way.(3) Addressing nickname: “Shorty” for a tall man, “Happy” for a person who always smiles, “Carrot” for a redhaired person, “Fatty” for a fat person, etc.Strictly speaking, nickname is usually used with ridicule, banter. However, sometimes using nickname is also showing a kind of close relationship because it is usually used for friends you know well.The similarity between Chinese appellation and English appellation is that we can address someone’s name directly both in Chinese and English (Liu Lishan, 2006: 8). Yet, there is a big difference between their specific usages. In Chinese, the situation when we can address the name directly is narrow. But it is used widely in English. And it is almost suitable for anyone in society, including the older, people of high rank, even someone you know not long ago. Especially, people in western countries prefer addressing first name to addressing full name. In their opinions, it can show that the speakers have an equal relationship.In Englishspeaking country, whether listener is male or female, young or old, relative or stranger, the speaker can call the listener’s given name directly so as to show their kindness and closeness, which is quite different from that in Chinese. So, please remember this kind of tiny diversity when you want to address others properly. Respectful appellation This is a kind of appellation using for showing speakers’ respect to listeners. Respectful appellation forms in ChineseThis part is according to Chi Hongjun’s theory of the usage of Lao and respectful appellation (2001: 56). Let us look at the following forms:(1) Lao + surname: Lao Li, Lao Zhang, Lao Zhao, etc.It is used to call those people whose age is above 40. Sometimes, to show the speaker’s respect, it can be used to address someone who has a special skill.(2) Xiao + surname: Xiao Liang, Xiao Chen, Xiao Zhong, etc.This kind of appellation is used most frequently among friends, workmates and classmates, who knowing each other well. And it can be used in both formal and informal situations.(3) Da + surname: Da Wang, Da Li, Da Yang, etc.It is often used to call older colleague during worktime just as using “Xiao + surname” in office.(4) surname + Lao: Zhao Lao, Lin Lao, Ye Lao, etc.Ususlly, people using this kind of appellation address someone who has a great fame in some special field.(5) Xiao / a + one of the words in a name: Xiao / a Ming (Zhang Dongming), Xiao/a shan (Liu Yushan), etc.Usually, parents in China use this kind to call their children to show the closeness.(6) surname + Gong: Xia Gong (Xia Ying), Mao Gong (Mao Dun), etc.It was used frequently in China before 1945 to show speaker’s respect to listeners. But it is rarely used now.Dong Yan’s opinion is that if we translate “Lao Zhang” into “old Zhang” or “Senior Zhang” mechanically, which will be taken as a big mistake (2006: 16). Other respectful appellation forms in Chinese Tongzhi and XianshengThis part is based on Song