Address Forms and Relative Addresses in Kutadgu Bilig

Abstract

Address forms are one of the important language units that reflect the power of expression of language and the cultural identity of the speakers of that language. There are prejudices of addresser to adressee in address forms that are distinguished by intonations and various grammatical markers in sentence. Communication without hesitation depends on using addresses politely and rightly in right place. In order for an expression to be considered an address, an expression must be valid for all language users in the same situation and for the same person sharing the status. Address forms are formulaic language elements that do not change according to person, place and time. Some address forms to the addresser and adressee have not become a common language attitude. Relativism is in this case. These address forms can be called "relative addresses", so that they do not jumble with address forms. Especially Kutadgu Bilig is very rich in terms of examples. It is one of the valuable texts that shows cultural heritage of Turkish society and vocabulary of Old Turkish ideally. One of the remarkable feature of this book is explaining matters by mutual address forms and relative addresses. Words characteristic in address forms and relative addresses shows important datas about language of that period and cultural level. When it is compared with Kokturk and Uighur periods, it will be seen there are more address forms in this valuable book of Karakhanid Turkish than Kokturk and Uighur periods and it will come out interesting evidences with regards to address forms and relative addresses.