How to address your kin the Shandong way

Abstract This paper presents a case study of the kinship terminology system in the Yi’nan dialect of Shandong, China, exploring its linguistic features, pragmatic usage, and underlying socio-cultural context through native speaker insights. The analysis focuses on the structural and semantic properties of the system, including the formal distinctiveness of certain terms. Notably, the study also examines the grammatical and socio-pragmatic rules governing the use of terms for address, reference, and teknonyms, demonstrating the flexible and strategic use of pronouns as a key mechanism for navigating social dynamics of respect and familiarity. Recognizing the threats posed by urbanization, generational shifts, and the prevalence of Mandarin Chinese to the dialect’s survival, this research emphasizes the critical importance of documenting these terminologies for the preservation of cultural heritage and linguistic diversity.