titles in Austria
Dec 7th, 2007, 09:40 AM
#1
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titles in Austria
I couldn't believe the Lufthansa website when they asked me to choose which title precedes my name and gave a list with so many combinations that I was amazed. Check it out for yourself by going to "contact us" and then "email" and then select a topic and the list will appear. . Another site about Austria said it is imperitive to use the right title or offend others in many ways. So I need advice from a real expert on the German language and protocol. I am a married woman and my husband is a college professor without a doctorate. I myself am a psychologist with a doctorate. What is his title? What is my title?
Dec 7th, 2007, 09:51 AM
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If I recall correctly, your title will be Dr., and your husband will be Prof. This is a throwback to the days of the Monarchy, when everyone had to have a title. Moreover, if you had two doctorates, you would have the title, Dr. Dr.. Pick up a copy of the the book Nervous Splendor by Frederick Morton. It is a wonderful read about life in Vienna during the years 1888-1889.
Dec 7th, 2007, 10:18 AM
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Back when titles were important, Austrians had a habit of promoting everyone, so that Herr became Doktor, Doktor became Professor, Professor became Geheimrat.
I would forget about the academic honorifics unless I was among academics.
Then it is all right to boast about being a Herr (or Frau) Geheimrat Professor Doktor.
formerly G,P,D.
I would forget about the academic honorifics unless I was among academics.
Then it is all right to boast about being a Herr (or Frau) Geheimrat Professor Doktor.
formerly G,P,D.
Dec 7th, 2007, 10:18 AM
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>I am a married woman and my husband is a college professor without a doctorate. I myself am a psychologist with a doctorate. What is his title? What is my title?
The titles are not affected by marriage. If you have a doctorate you are Frau Dr. <Humanone>. Your husband is (at least in Austria) Herr Prof. Dr. <Humanone>.
Austrians are indeed crazy with titles - but this is more important if you go there for professional purposes. Nobody (in normal daily life) will be offended if you don't know whether he is a Herr Ingenieur XY, a Herr Dr. XY or Herr Geheimrat XY, as long as you stay with Herr XY.
In Germany only Dr. is considered a title permanently attached to the name - so in Germany you are Frau Dr. <Humanone> and Herr Dr. <Humanone>.
Confused?
The titles are not affected by marriage. If you have a doctorate you are Frau Dr. <Humanone>. Your husband is (at least in Austria) Herr Prof. Dr. <Humanone>.
Austrians are indeed crazy with titles - but this is more important if you go there for professional purposes. Nobody (in normal daily life) will be offended if you don't know whether he is a Herr Ingenieur XY, a Herr Dr. XY or Herr Geheimrat XY, as long as you stay with Herr XY.
In Germany only Dr. is considered a title permanently attached to the name - so in Germany you are Frau Dr. <Humanone> and Herr Dr. <Humanone>.
Confused?
Dec 7th, 2007, 12:29 PM
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"Everyone with an advanced degree gets to be Dottore or Dottoressa."
Yes, I like that too. I am a consultant to an Italian company and I have a nice collection of Dr. Tilke name badges from various healthcare conferences...so much cheaper than going to medical school ;-)
Yes, I like that too. I am a consultant to an Italian company and I have a nice collection of Dr. Tilke name badges from various healthcare conferences...so much cheaper than going to medical school ;-)
Dec 7th, 2007, 12:48 PM
#11
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humanone:
Your title would be "Dr.".
Your husband's title would be "Prof." but NOT "Dr.".
Academic titles in Germany are regulated by law. You are subject to severe punishment if you are pretending having an academic title which you have not earned.
Austria is really crazy with titles. The historical reason is that they got rid of nobility pretty late. And the bourgois were very proud to have their titles too. in Austria, academic titles are a symbol of democratic culture.
Your title would be "Dr.".
Your husband's title would be "Prof." but NOT "Dr.".
Academic titles in Germany are regulated by law. You are subject to severe punishment if you are pretending having an academic title which you have not earned.
Austria is really crazy with titles. The historical reason is that they got rid of nobility pretty late. And the bourgois were very proud to have their titles too. in Austria, academic titles are a symbol of democratic culture.
Dec 7th, 2007, 01:20 PM
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When we lived in Vienna, we learned about this title thing as well as the formal and familiar rules of the German language.
My husband's boss, who was an American overseeing a Viennese manufacturing firm, was called the Geschäftsführer. He got to where he really liked this title thing. We use to tease him about it all the time, especially when he showed up at the Company picnic in his lederhosen!
My husband's boss, who was an American overseeing a Viennese manufacturing firm, was called the Geschäftsführer. He got to where he really liked this title thing. We use to tease him about it all the time, especially when he showed up at the Company picnic in his lederhosen!
Dec 7th, 2007, 02:37 PM
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Oh, however grandiose the Austrians may be, the Italians were, maybe still are... grandioser!
Does anyone remember the Italian descriptors and honorifics of yore, such as:
Egregrissimo...(Most singular)
Cavaliere...(Gentleman)
etc...
Mostly encountered on postal addresses, not in speech. Thank God.
Does anyone remember the Italian descriptors and honorifics of yore, such as:
Egregrissimo...(Most singular)
Cavaliere...(Gentleman)
etc...
Mostly encountered on postal addresses, not in speech. Thank God.
Dec 7th, 2007, 02:43 PM
#15
My favourite, and longest, german job title:
der Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschafts-kapitaen.
i had to put the hyphen in for it to make sense. it means the captain of the Ship belonging to the Danube Steam ship company.
"Herr Kapitaen" would probably do for less formal occasions.
regards, ann
der Donaudampfschiffahrtsgesellschafts-kapitaen.
i had to put the hyphen in for it to make sense. it means the captain of the Ship belonging to the Danube Steam ship company.
"Herr Kapitaen" would probably do for less formal occasions.
regards, ann
Dec 7th, 2007, 02:53 PM
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The Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitaen holds the official
Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitaenspatent
of the
Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaft
which is certified through the
Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitaenspatent surkunde.
Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitaenspatent
of the
Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaft
which is certified through the
Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitaenspatent surkunde.
?!
Dec 8th, 2007, 12:34 AM
#19
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Fräulein (not Fraulein) is definitely considered old-fashioned and an absolute no-no in Germany because there is no equivalent for unmarried men. Why stress whether a woman is married or not? Every woman is titled "Frau".
Back to the original question - "Frau Dr. Humanone" and "Herr Professor Humanone" would be correct in letters and official situations. In normal life, insisting on these titles would be a bit snob. At university, no student would address a professor as "Herr Professor xy", since 1968 it's just "Herr xy". Again, this is Germany.
Keep in mind that Austria and Germany are two different pairs of shoes when it comes to titles. So is the question about Austria or Germany (asking because you posted twice and the question doesn't make that clear)?
Back to the original question - "Frau Dr. Humanone" and "Herr Professor Humanone" would be correct in letters and official situations. In normal life, insisting on these titles would be a bit snob. At university, no student would address a professor as "Herr Professor xy", since 1968 it's just "Herr xy". Again, this is Germany.
Keep in mind that Austria and Germany are two different pairs of shoes when it comes to titles. So is the question about Austria or Germany (asking because you posted twice and the question doesn't make that clear)?
