A sociolinguistic study of address terms in a Nigerian university’s staff club

Abstract This article explores the sociopragmatic functions of address terms in social interactions at the University of Calabar Senior Staff Club. It takes into perspective the metalinguistic categories of address terms, their motivations, and the cultural and sociolinguistic parameters that determine their choice among Club members. The study is rooted in social identity theory and community of practice (CoP) analytical framework as are theorized in contemporary sociolinguistic literature. The study identifies nicknames, titles, acronyms, formulaic appellations, clipped personal names and extended personal names as the primary types of address terms in the Club, and articulates that the use of address terms is a social construction of identity that enacts intimacy, fosters collective belonging, and enhances solidarity. Conversely, address terms can also reinforce social division and inequality given the hierarchical structure of the Club which does not license reciprocal use of some address terms. The study concludes that address terms are a site of highly creative use of language which is reflexively framed through humour, clipping, lengthening, language play and other linguistic devices. Generally, address terms provide mechanisms for members to bond socially and adapt flexibly to the socio-academic environment of the Club.