Introduction: Address Terms in World Englishes

ABSTRACT This special issue explores variations in English address terms across world Englishes, highlighting how globalization and digital communication continue to shape their use. While Western Englishes like British and American English show a decline in hierarchy‐stressing terms (e.g. Sir and Madam ) and a rise in informal forms (such as first names), South Asian Englishes and Caribbean Englishes seem to retain more formal terms. Despite significant research on diachronic change in American and British English, cross‐varietal studies and research into digital communities of speakers remain underexplored. Featuring nine case studies, this special issue examines pragmatic variation in diverse communities, shedding light on local trends and global influences on address terms that are driven by increased connectivity and new media.