Displaying emotion via dynamic use of address terms in Chinese family conflict talk.

The article focuses on the dynamic use of address terms in Chinese family conflict talk and their relationship with speakers' emotional states. Analyzing 47 conflict episodes from three Chinese TV dramas, the study finds that full names and kinship terms are predominantly used, with two main patterns of address term shifts across conflict phases: one where speakers move from given names or kinship terms to full names as conflicts escalate, and another where address terms remain stable. Quantitative and qualitative analyses reveal that the use of full names strongly correlates with heightened negative emotional displays, including vocal, verbal, and visual cues, indicating that address term choice serves as a marker of emotional intensity in familial conflicts. The findings suggest implications for understanding emotional communication and conflict management within Chinese family interactions.