A Comparative Study of Person References in Debate in English and Japanese

This is one of the series of research for address terms which I have worked on. The aim of this tentative analysis is to compare the use of address terms in Japanese and in English regarding their function for conversational management. Address terms has been a popular topic among sociolinguists. The address terms serves to regulate the turn-taking of the participants. We have seen the employment of address terms and compared their functions in conversation in English and Japanese. We have found that in both language, address terms work likewise. It is found that the frequency of address terms are influenced by the turn-taking system of the language. Talking as possible as one can is important for participants in English conversation. They try to hold the floor and try to take their turn. Consequently, conflict is a common phenomenon. In order to regulate such competition, address terms function. On the contrary, Japanese conversations are designed according to the participants\u27 social factor. According to his or her role and position, the participants control how to participate in the conversation by themselves