Forms of address II

[lexical74]

No: HPFGUIDX 115822


Of course, JKR's handling of forms of address is precise and worthy 
of discussion on its own.

Here are the conventions as I see them:

No student calls any teacher by his/her first name.  Though this is 
occasionally done in the US (though teachers are discouraged from 
encouraging it), I can't speak for UK practices.  

Students overwhelmingly prefer to use last-name address with each 
other, e.g., "Potter," "Malfoy."  

Teachers seem to use last name address toward students and other 
teachers.

Teachers retain the right to use first name address with either party.

It is inappropriate for a student to refer to a teacher by last name 
only.

"Support staff" are addressed by title + last name (e.g., Madam 
Pince, Mr. Filch)

Hagrid is referred to by last name only, which can be seen as both a 
term of endearment and a sign of disrespect.  No one besides Umbridge 
(who has no respect for him) calls him "Professor."  Furthermore, he 
isn't even granted the honorific given to "Mr." Filch.

There is one use of the title "Dr."--"Dr. Filibuster's fireworks."  
Neither the books nor the interviews discuss the possibility of 
doctoral education in the WW.  Dr. Filibuster is perhaps a nickname 
borrowed from the MW, evidence of a wizard with a muggle doctorate, 
evidence of doctoral education in the WW, or an example of JKR not 
anticipating this kind of discussion!

St. Mungo's Hospital brings the MW idea of "sainthood" into the WW.  
Any theories?

Just a few more thoughts...

Brian