|
"Ms" or "Ms." (normally , but also appearing as , , or when unstressed)〔〔 entry "Ms". It may be pronounced with schwa even in stressed situation.〕 is an English honorific used with the last name or full name of a woman, intended as a default form of address for women regardless of their marital status. Like "Miss" and "Mrs.", the term "Ms." has its origins in the female English title once used for all women, "Mistress". It was invented (and revived/reinvented) in the 20th century.〔''Oxford English Dictionary'' online, Ms, ''n.2''. Etymology: An orthographic and phonetic blend of Mrs ''n.1'' and miss ''n.2'' Compare mizz ''n.'' The pronunciation with final /-z/ would appear to have arisen as a result of deliberate attempts to distinguish between this word and miss ''n.2''; compare mizz ''n.'', and perhaps also Miz ''n.1'' -- (''n.'': Etymology: Representing the spoken realization of Ms ''n.2'' (see discussion at that entry). ) Accessed 2012-07-25〕 Various plural forms used are "Mss.", "Mses.", and "Mmes."〔Derived from the traditional French-based plural ''Mesdames'', identical to the form used for "Mrs."〕 ==Historical development and revival of the term== "Ms." began to be used as early as the 17th century, along with "Miss" and "Mrs.", as a title derived from the then formal "Mistress", which, like Mister, did not originally indicate marital status. "Ms.", however, fell into disuse in favor of the other two titles and was not revived until the 20th century. The earliest known proposal for the modern revival of "Ms." as a title appeared in ''The Republican'' of Springfield, Massachusetts on November 10, 1901: The term was again suggested as a convenience to writers of business letters by such publications as the ''Bulletin of the American Business Writing Association'' (1951) and ''The Simplified Letter'', issued by the National Office Management Association (1952). In 1961, Sheila Michaels attempted to put the term into use when she saw what she thought was a typographical error on the address label of a copy of ''News & Letters'' sent to her roommate. Michaels "was looking for a title for a woman who did not 'belong' to a man." She knew the separation of the now common terms ''Miss'' and ''Mrs.'' had derived from "Mistress", but one could not suggest that women use the original title with its now louche connotations. Her efforts to promote use of a new honorific were at first ignored. Around 1971, in a lull during a WBAI-radio interview with ''The Feminists'' group, Michaels suggested the use of ''Ms.'' A friend of Gloria Steinem heard the interview and suggested it as a title for her new magazine. ''Ms.'' magazine's popularity finally allowed the term to enjoy widespread usage. In February 1972, the US Government Printing Office approved using "Ms." in official government documents. In 1976 Marvel Comics introduced a new superhero named "Ms. Marvel," billing her as the "first feminist superhero." Even several public opponents of "non-sexist language", such as William Safire, were finally convinced that ''Ms.'' had earned a place in English by the case of US Congresswoman Geraldine A. Ferraro. Ferraro, a United States vice-presidential candidate in 1984, was a married woman who used her birth surname professionally rather than her husband's ("Zaccaro"). Safire pointed out that it would be equally incorrect to call her "Miss Ferraro" (as she was married), or "Mrs. Ferraro" (as her husband was not "Mr. Ferraro")—and that calling her "Mrs. Zaccaro" would confuse the reader.〔Safire, William. "(On Language: Goodbye Sex, Hello Gender )", ''The New York Times'', August 5, 1984, Section 6 p. 8.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Ms.」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|