As an Important feature of interface between in language and society, address terms can provide valuable socio linguistic information about the interlocutors, their relationship and their circumstances. Following the study of the Gilman and ford on address terms, an increasing number of studies have been conducted in several socio cultural settings. In line with this trend, the present study attempts to describe and explain address terms among the Telugu people in Andhra Pradesh.

This article focuses an identifying nine Principals terms of address three of which are reported here. In particular the influence of westernism and modernism was reflected in the use of personal names and catch phrases with differing levels of frequency and saliency the use of these terms was dictated socio cultural factors such as gender, status, age, caste and relationship of interactants as well as pragmatic factors. These finding have implications for theory, intercultural communication and further research an address terms.