Sasmita Misra Professor, HR, NMiMS Hyderabad WHAT’S IN A NAME? “A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet”
rose is a rose even if we would have called it by some other name. But the world in which we live will give a different explanation justifying its color, texture and smell. What does it mean to address a person by his/her name and what is the significance of adding prefixes and suffixes to a name. Does addressing a person by her first name is culture specific, profession specific or is it person specific. The idea is to explore whether addressing a person by first name is derogatory or is it just another way of expression. In India, name has a lot of significance both culturally as well as personally. ‘What does it mean to name a person, to be given a proper name?’ This is not a question often addressed within philosophical literature, and yet, it seems to be a rather important question to pose given the fact that people constantly name other people. In order to answer this question, it is necessary to understand not only what it means to name any object or person, but also what it means to use language within this world. To do this, a connection must be made between the perceptual world into which one is thrust, and the linguistic world in one lives.
motivation and morale improves dramatically when people feel valued and when their contributions make a difference, and their ‘name’ is noticed. The perceptual world makes a whole lot of difference for it symbolizes who you are and what you are. Though name per se doesn’t signify any of your characteristics but adding prefixes and suffixes does signify respect and it conveys a lot for the profession one holds in the society. For example, in India, doctors are called “doctor Saab”, wherein he is regarded next to God. And a teacher “masterji”; India has always been traditionally and culturally driven, hence it becomes equally important to use names cautiously, as prefixes and suffixes to a name signify a social status. When surveyed, a majority of teachers in India felt that imparting knowledge is a noble profession and deserves respect, therefore the idea of adding prefixes and suffixes should prevail. However, addressing by first names is much easier in courses for Executives, as there is a minimal age difference. Thus, it is essential that the leap in behavioral as well as perceptual changes takes place, to fan the winds of change.
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has acquired a greater status and visibility of late. There has also been a shift in the thought process from being the traditional teacher to a trainer, mentor and coach. Similarly, the student fraternity doesn’t include the young group alone; there is a mix of students who are very young and many who have already put in substantial number of years of service. Therefore, given the changes and the roles the modern teacher plays- rather than having the traditional guru – shishya concept, it is always healthier to work as an associate, coach and in adjusting to an environment where they would be addressed by their first names; though they wouldn’t mind making behavioral changes but would like to retain the concept of adding suffixes and prefixes to their name. The language domain makes it easier to address people by their name as short as it can; because in the language domain, a name is just a word. The western culture follows the language domain & not the perceptual world. They would rather welcome the change by saying that they feel more attached to a person when they address him/her by their first names. The corporate world is responsible for all the significant changes that have been brought in this direction. The business world requires the members to act as associates and operate as team members forgetting the hierarchy, therefore they feel that respect for a person doesn’t come by the position or hierarchy, but by the work one does; therefore it is not a barrier while communicating. Organizations have embraced teamwork as an effective way of doing business. The last 20 years has seen the replacement of ‘supervisors’ by ‘team leaders’. Employee
The perceptual world of any person sees that addressing a person by first name is culture specific and profession specific. 90% of teachers and professors feel that addressing an elderly person with their first names is derogatory. The culture demands to add suffixes and prefixes. It signifies respect, rather than just a name. Teaching as a profession
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iNM VOLUME 1, October 2011 ?95%5L?!?????()?94?Y=1U5???=???????????95%5L?!?????((0