Incorrect use of the word "Mister"

It´s common among "bilingual" high school students to address their teachers and even talk about them as "el mister de Química" o "la miss de History". No one (it seems) takes the time to let them see how wrong it  is to use that term that way. Why does this happen? Well, in Spanish we use the word Señor much more freely than in English. In L2 we use Mister, Mistress and Miss as titles and that is why they must be accompanied by a family name (never a first name). So it is right to say Mr. Bermudes but not Mr. Luis. It is possible to say Mister alone in one specific case but only to express our displeasure to the person we are talking to. Something like this: "Listen to me, mister..." (the speaker is obviously not happy). The ones who use Mister in the States are usually illegal Laimmigrants who do not know the culture and assume they can use Mister as they use Señor. That explains the surprise American men feel when they are addressed as Mister. Of course an open smile and a gentle attitude easily reveal what is going on.









































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How do you say MIRADOR in English?

The Maps of Ship-Trap Island

How do you say EXAMEN SUPLETORIO in English?