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Mademoiselle - A Fond Farewell

Under pressure from women's advocacy groups, France will no longer refer to a woman as "mademoiselle". In the United States, we use "Ms." but not by government decree.

Having spent all my high school years under the tutelage of a wonderful French teacher named Mademoiselle Robillard, I was somewhat taken aback to read in the New York Times that the term "mademoiselle" has been banished from official forms and registries by Prime Minister Francois Fillon.

"Mademoiselle" is most commonly thought to refer to a female's matrimonial situation with married women being referred to as "Madame",  It is also used to refer to a young woman. Young French men are often referred to as 'jeune homme' through their 20's before they are referred to as "Monsieur".  The advocates of the elimination of "mademoiselle" have suggested that a young woman be similarly called "jeune femme" before aging into "madame".

Advocates of this change say that "mademoiselle"  is a term that suggests female subjugation but the article suggests that is not an universal interpretation.  Apparently the term originated in the late 1600's to mean an unmarried female but it was not broadly used until the 20th century.

English usage of the term "miss" had similar dual connotations of referring to a young female or an unmarried female.  Although it is still used to some degree and is an option when filling out forms, it has largely been replaced by "Ms".  "Ms.", however, does not connote age in the same way as "jeune femme" although it has become the accepted way of referring to all females - married and unmarried.

I guess I should not have been surprised about this change given the adoption of "Ms." in English-speaking countries.  I did find it surprising that the Prime Minister had actually decreed the term's demise. With so many more serious women's issues to consider - health, jobs, education, family-raising, etc., this seems inconsequential in so many ways and yet it somehow rose to the top of the Prime Minister's agenda.

It will be interesting to see if, in fact, "mademoiselle" can be removed from French life by decree or whether it will live on in some sort of government defiance.  In the meantime, I am wondering how to reference my French teacher of years ago.  "Mademoiselle" seemed like such a lovely word.

L. Potier March 3, 2012 at 01:18 pm
I have been brought up in french schools and there were two "Mademoiselles" who were teachers, but essentially they were spinsters. Had they been married they would have been "Madame". After my divorce years ago from a French man, French people have continued to call me "Madame". Here, on the other hand I have become "Ms" which I really don't like. To me "Mademoiselle" has never meant only a "jeune femme", but just an unmarried woman, whatever her age.
Liliane Potier
Bea Rhodes March 3, 2012 at 02:10 pm
Having grown up with Mademoiselle when a student at the Lycée Français de New York, I think it's a lovely word and I never thought of it as having a negative connotation. As far as Miss and Ms, no question, I like Ms!
Mairebee March 3, 2012 at 03:23 pm
This politically correct nonsense is going too far! I agree that both are beautiful sounding words and should be used as part of the french language. P.s. I'm American, not french, and would never object to being referred to as "madame," or "mademoiselle," either here or anywhere else. Both are more polite than, "hey, lady!" :-)
Barbara Shane March 3, 2012 at 11:26 pm
Since it is not an abbreviation, Ms should not have a period after it.
Bob Ogden March 3, 2012 at 11:56 pm
You folks are kidding. Right?
Miguel Hernandez March 4, 2012 at 01:00 pm
To date the terms, Señora (Mrs) and Señorita (Miss) have not been replaced in the Spanish-speaking countries. At one time the term Señorito was used as a title for a young boys. It isthe English eqivalent of "Master". Anyway, I ofcourse accept and use Ms. but think it should be Mz because that is the way it is pronounced. Also while I am at there should be an English language term that is eqivalent to the Spanish honorific title of "Don" -- rhymes with Joan. Anyway, due to my age and status as a former mayor the local Hispanic immigrants call me, "Don Miguel" . I blends formality and informality. I don't know if it bothers anyone else but I hate it when "young whipper-snappers" who barely know me call me by my first name. I take back "young whipper snappers." It is redundant, there are no old whipper-snappers and nobody snaps whips anymore -- except for a dominatrix but that is a sexist term and I will only use it this time. Yes, Humprey Belcher I am kidding.
Catherine Paull March 4, 2012 at 01:18 pm
"Mademoiselle" is indeed a lovely sounding word. "Miss" has a much better sound to it than "Ms". Despite these aesthetic attributes, I am strongly in favor of the discontinuation of the use of both Miss and Mademoiselle, because both terms carry a definite taint of female subjugation. Although this is not a deeply important issue in comparison to the serious women's issues that Ms. Gallelli describes, words and especially forms of address have great impact on perception - especially subconscious perception. It is a matter of respect - and especially a matter of the elimination of the disdain, dismissal or patronizing that often accompanies the outdated epithets. These words (Mademoiselle and Miss) won't disappear from use - at least not for a very, very long time - but I support their elimination from legal, business and formal communication because I know how important the impact can be. It is important that our words, and most importantly our titles, convey respect - something that is increasingly missing in our society.
Bob Ogden March 4, 2012 at 02:33 pm
Gracias Don Miguel. I do have one other question regarding French. Both French Fries and French Toast are named the same but why do they taste so different? Also, can you put maple syrup on French Fries?
Jay March 4, 2012 at 07:59 pm
I thought Don Miguel was heading in this direction when he objected to youngsters' calling him (a distinguished elder) by his first name. But since he didn't quite get there, I will contribute my disgust at being addressed as "young lady" (and my husband as "young man"). I know that in some language cultures those terms are honorifics, not little pats on the heads of pets or a form of address directed at a misbehaving child--as they are in American English. Here, calling an elder "young man" or "young lady" is like calling a fat man "Slim" or a bald man "Fuzzy." It is at the least an inappropriate familiarity and at worst an intentional sneer at a perceived defect. If you MUST address me directly (which, if you think about it, is rarely required), I'll happily accept Miss, Ms, Ma'am, Madam, or--if I'm about to step out into traffic--Hey You! But if you MUST call me something with the word "lady" in it, make it MiLady or Your Ladyship. Thanks, callow youth!
Miguel Hernandez March 4, 2012 at 09:53 pm
Dear Mr. Belcher: The Spanish claim that fried potatoes aka, patatas fritas, pommes frites or French Fries if you like was invented in their country; the first European nation in which the potato appeared via their colonies in America. From Spain they migrated to the Spanish Netherlands, which later became Belgium. From there the lowly potato wandered all over Europe where it was boiled, baked, fried and made into vodka in Russia. Depending on the country you are in, French fries are commonly eaten with a variety of sauces --ketchup in the U.S, malt vinegar in the U.K., mayonnaise in the Netherlands and with mussels in Belgium. By the way, Belgium is the home of the world’s only Friet Museum. Visitors can learn the history of fries and their origin in Belgium. In addition, they have information on how to make the best fries; and finally you can taste them with a variety of sauces. As far as I know, nobody puts maple syrup on them but I will try it one of these days and let you know.
As for French Toast; It has many European origins and recipies but supposedly an American named Joseph French gave it its name in our country He owned an inn in Albany, NY and served it to his guests back in 1724. I make mine in an egg batter with orange juice and Grand Marnier. Naturally, I call it Drunken French Toast
Greg Tart March 5, 2012 at 01:56 am
Thanks Barbara, never thought of that
Greg Tart March 5, 2012 at 01:59 am
You look pretty snazzy in that picture, are you sure they don't call you "Don Juan"

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