Forms of address II

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 115838


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

Finwitch:

And I'm happy it's here as I sometimes find insistence on titles 
difficult to understand as it is...

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

However, only Gryffindor student that I recall being addressed so by 
another Gryffindor student, is Oliver Wood. Then again, he was the 
Quidditch captain since book one, when Harry was a first year. Even 
so, the older students in the team at least occasionally call him 
Oliver. (In team with Oliver Wood when Charlie was captain?)

but for students in different house/unfriendly terms, I suppose so.

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

Finwitch:

Snape keeps saying Potter! (And Harry, likewise, calls him Snape most 
of the time) but I seem to recall other teachers using Mr/Miss - 
unless, of course, they're *listing* names.

Either way, it must create big confusion with all the Weasleys, twins 
in particular. I mean, just imagine it...

Teacher - say, McGonagall: -Weasley.

Fred: I think she's talking to you, George.
George: Are you sure she's not talking to you, Fred?
Fred: No, I'm positive she means you, George.
George: Why, I'm certain she means you, Fred.

etc. Nothing to get hold of, really, but it *does* get annoying after 
a while. And those two most definately would take most of it!

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

Finwitch:

And they do - Remus Lupin, at least, uses Neville - mainly to calm 
Neville down, I suppose.

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

At least Dumbledore keeps telling Harry to use the 'professor' for 
Snape. Harry doesn't. (except when talking to Lockhart about 
something Snape *taught* them...) Somehow I think that's just another 
way of Dumbledore's to attempt distraction - don't wish to speak of a 
subject: suggest different type of address/offer a sherbet lemon. And 
students don't appear to use titles when speaking of their professors 
within themselves.

Brian: 
> "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.

Finwitch:

Oh, indeed... still, Hagrid's more of a friend than staffmember to 
Harry&co. And I doubt Hagrid likes the use of his title, anyway. Mind 
you, even Filch's *cat* is referred to as Mrs.! Curious indeed.

Brian: 
> 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!

Finwitch: 
It might not be Dr. for Doctor at all. Maybe it's short for Drusilla 
who has a sibling named Dween or something? Or maybe it's just advert-
stuff, like Dr. Pepper?

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

I seem to recall that being just that JKR identifies St. with any 
name of a hospital!

Finwitch