TITLES AND GENDER IN ENGLISH

English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)

TITLES AND GENDER IN ENGLISH

~Mr’s~ John Balogun and Femi George are our lawyers (nonstandard).
Messrs John Balogun and Femi George are our lawyers (standard). Note that the plural of Mr is Messrs.

~Madams~ Tinubu and Kuti were well known Yoruba women in their era (nonstandard).
Mesdames Tinubu and Kuti were well known Yoruba women in their era (standard). The title to refer to more than one woman is mesdames. It serves as the plural of madam and Mrs although Americans also pluralise Mrs as Mmes .

Ms Alakija and few other Mss / Mses graced the occasion (standard). Note that the word, Ms, is used for a woman whose marital status is unknown and it is now increasingly used for both married and unmarried women when marital status is not a factor.
GAB