StaceyCornelius , 3 months ago

@dillyd It’s weird, isn’t it. Some of my work puts me in contact with French people and it’s usually Mme rather than spelled out.

I had an interesting chat with the person who checked my translations about pronouns. Culture, and language, can be puzzling.

meganL , 3 months ago

@dillyd Is there any French equivalent for Ms.?

dillyd OP , 3 months ago

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stephanie , 3 months ago

@dillyd @meganL only madame in French now!

dillyd OP , 3 months ago

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olivier , 3 months ago

@dillyd @stephanie @meganL it has been outdated for 20 years or so? Why would we need a way to differentiate a wedded woman, it is creepy and sexist.

dillyd OP , 3 months ago

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stephanie , 3 months ago

@dillyd @olivier @meganL Olivier's answer is right! I like mademoiselle for young girls sometimes, just as you could say Miss. But yeah for an adult woman, it's ridiculous to use mademoiselle nowadays. But I'm sure they didn't mean it was a negative; there's a good chance that they wanted to make you feel younger haha

carkner , 3 months ago

@dillyd @olivier @stephanie @meganL

when I used to work in French language libraries I would hear it from older men addressing younger women staff/patrons and it was definitely like nail on chalkboard even then 15 years ago

stephanie , 3 months ago

@carkner @dillyd @olivier @meganL ah yes, i wouldn't mind a woman calling me mademoiselle, but not a man 🫠

dillyd OP , 3 months ago

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stephanie , 3 months ago

@dillyd @carkner @olivier @meganL ah languages! I love them, but they're complex