'Mate' as a term of address in ordinary interaction

Abstract

This paper focuses on the sequential environment of the address term 'mate', contrasting the post-positioned 'mate' (e.g. 'hello mate') with the pre-positioned 'mate' (e.g. 'mate how are ya'). Because 'mate' occurs in a wide variety of situations and carries with it a range of interpretations, it is an extremely popular term that can be used not only when talking to friends, but also between casual acquaintances who may never talk to each other again. However, it can also be negatively interpreted, especially in ironic and antagonistic contexts. This paper will argue that the interpretation of 'mate' is closely tied to its sequential placement. When post-positioned, 'mate' overwhelmingly occurs in openings and closings of conversations or following assessments, agreements, acknowledgements and appreciations, presenting an attitude of open friendliness towards the other person. This is no more evident than when 'mate' plays a mitigating role following requests, advice giving or even disagreements. However when pre-positioned, it changes the sequential organization of the talk (as do pre-positioned address terms in general), giving the turn first status. It will be argued that it is only through understanding its sequential position that we can begin to understand why 'mate' is sometimes interpreted as antagonistic or hostile.