Abstract
This study traces the development of research on terms of address over the past two decades through a bibliometric analysis of 672 publications indexed in Scopus (2003–2023). Recognized as essential markers of politeness, power, and cultural norms, address terms have drawn increasing scholarly attention in recent years. To understand how the field has evolved, the study applies CiteSpace and VOSviewer to identify trends in publication volume, key contributors, collaborative networks, and emerging research themes.
The analysis reveals a sharp growth in output beginning in the mid-2010s, driven by rising interdisciplinary interest and advances in communication technologies. Frequently studied topics include honorific systems, pragmatic competence, and second language acquisition, with Japanese and Korean contexts receiving particular focus. Geographically, research is concentrated in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
By mapping these developments, the study offers educators and researchers a structured overview of the field’s trajectory and highlights promising directions for future inquiry.