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In:Beyond Binaries in Address Research: Politeness and identity practices in interaction
Edited by Víctor Fernández-Mallat and María Irene Moyna
[Topics in Address Research 6] 2025
► pp. 171–196

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Chapter 8
Forms of address in Surinamese and Caribbean Dutch

Published online: 17 July 2025
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https://doi.org/10.1075/tar.6.08sch
Abstract
This chapter describes the factors underlying address practices in Dutch spoken in Suriname and the Caribbean, based on an online survey conducted in 2019. Respondents indicated which forms they would use in interactions with different interlocutors and which forms they would expect in return. The frequencies of T, V, and mixed T/V use demonstrate distinct patterns in different communicational contexts, with free response comments about the interactions shedding additional light on the respondents’ address strategies. The newly found patterns align with those in the Netherlands to some extent, although there is greater use of V pronouns. We also find a general ‘T trend’ among younger speakers in our dataset.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Background
    • 2.1Dutch pronouns of address
    • 2.2The status of Dutch in formerly colonized regions
  • 3.Methodology
    • 3.1Respondents
    • 3.2Survey design
  • 4.Distribution of address forms
  • 5.A closer look at the free response comments
    • 5.1Coding scheme (adapted from Vismans 2018)
    • 5.2Reflections on “T or V” use
      • 5.2.1Major themes
      • 5.2.2Minor themes
    • 5.3Other forms of address and general remarks
  • 6.Discussion and conclusion
  • Acknowledgments
  • Notes
  • References
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