Fräulein: Difference between revisions
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| quote = Use Fräulein only when writing to young girls.}}</ref> However, this might be considered as a little old-fashioned . Nowadays the term is mostly used by elderly or conservative speakers. The use of it came into disfavor in some circles during [[second-wave feminism]], as "little" might be seen by some as condescending towards women past school age. |
| quote = Use Fräulein only when writing to young girls.}}</ref> However, this might be considered as a little old-fashioned . Nowadays the term is mostly used by elderly or conservative speakers. The use of it came into disfavor in some circles during [[second-wave feminism]], as "little" might be seen by some as condescending towards women past school age. In the early 1990s, this term has been officially abolished in Germany. |
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''Fräulein'' can be translated as ''[[Miss]]'' in [[English language|English]]; ''Signorina'' in [[Italian language|Italian]]; ''Mademoiselle'' in [[French language|French]]; ''Senhorita'' in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]; ''Señorita'' in [[Spanish language|Spanish]]; ''Maighdeann(-uasal)'' in [[Scottish Gaelic language|Scottish Gaelic]]; and ''Ógbhean(-uasal)'' in [[Irish language|Irish]]. |
''Fräulein'' can be translated as ''[[Miss]]'' in [[English language|English]]; ''Signorina'' in [[Italian language|Italian]]; ''Mademoiselle'' in [[French language|French]]; ''Senhorita'' in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]; ''Señorita'' in [[Spanish language|Spanish]]; ''Maighdeann(-uasal)'' in [[Scottish Gaelic language|Scottish Gaelic]]; and ''Ógbhean(-uasal)'' in [[Irish language|Irish]]. |
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Revision as of 17:40, 24 May 2007
Template:Foreignchar However, it is also at least as likely to be spelled Fraulein in that case.
This file may be deleted at any time.
In German, (ⓘ) Fräulein (literally, "little woman" or "little Mrs.", pronounced /ˈfɹɔɪlaɪn/) is used as a title for young girls and unmarried women as opposed to Frau for married women. It is used with the first name or last name (Fräulein Anna or Fräulein Schmidt).
Today, the expression is sometimes considered derogatory and is not used quite as often as it once was. It is however still used among more conservative speakers, or occassionally by the elderly. In some contexts, especially in business, it is now considered acceptable to address all women as Frau (plus last name)[1][2]. According to Oxford Dictionary it may still be used when addressing very young women, such as gymnasium students by their teachers, or underage girls.[3] However, this might be considered as a little old-fashioned . Nowadays the term is mostly used by elderly or conservative speakers. The use of it came into disfavor in some circles during second-wave feminism, as "little" might be seen by some as condescending towards women past school age. In the early 1990s, this term has been officially abolished in Germany.
Fräulein can be translated as Miss in English; Signorina in Italian; Mademoiselle in French; Senhorita in Portuguese; Señorita in Spanish; Maighdeann(-uasal) in Scottish Gaelic; and Ógbhean(-uasal) in Irish.
Usage in culture
Literature and film have depicted the usage very well, in some cases already in the title. Examples are E.T.A. Hoffmann's tale Das Fräulein von Scuderi (1819), Elizabeth von Arnim's epistolary novel Fräulein Schmidt and Mr Anstruther (1907), and the comedy film Fräulein vom Amt (1954), whose title was a common phrase denoting a female operator at a telephone exchange. In an earlier comedy film, Unser Fräulein Doktor (1940), Jenny Jugo plays Dr. Elisabeth Hansen, a young attractive teacher at a gymnasium who has to fight to be taken seriously as an intellectual.
In English-language film, fräulein has been used as a tip-off word that the actors are actually speaking German, despite it being English for the audience's sake.
"Fräulein" is the title of a 1957 song by Bobby Helms.
"Fräulein" is also the title of a 1960s song sung in German by Chris Howland [1].
"Fräulein", #n3, is also a member of the Arch Rival Roller Girls, a women's flat track roller derby league in St. Louis, Missouri.
References
- ^ Oxford Dictionary. "Writing Letters in German". Oxford University Press. Retrieved 2006-09-29.
Note that in German all women are addressed as Frau (the equivalent of both Mrs. and Ms) in formal and business letters.
- ^ Exeter University Faculty. "Exeter University Beginners' German". Retrieved 2006-09-29.
The formal use of Fräulein to translate "Miss" is outdated and should be avoided, not least because the literal translation of Fräulein is "little woman"! You should instead use Frau.
- ^ Oxford Dictionary. "Writing Letters in German". Oxford University Press. Retrieved 2006-09-29.
Use Fräulein only when writing to young girls.