Titles

Comment

Comment by Wael on November 29, 2011 at 6:39pm

I think that non-martial artists find titles like Grandmaster and Professor to be a bit silly. But I could be wrong.

Comment by Daniel McCullar on November 29, 2011 at 2:31pm

So when someone refers to me as master it is not a rank title at this point, it is a position title. Not until 6th Dan does it become both. Right now my rank title is Subum Bujang (Super Instructor is the rough translation) All I need now is a big {S} on my Dobok!

Comment by Daniel McCullar on November 29, 2011 at 2:29pm

You can also just go by Subum (teacher) Subumnim (teacher, Sir)

Remember that technically Kwanjang (master) is not just a refrence to rank, but also to position. 

My teacher has told me that the rank of Kwanjang is for those who have attained their 6th dan.

The title of Kwanjang is for those who have their own school. (Kwanjang/Head Master} Kinda like a Dean or school Headmaster)

Comment by Daniel McCullar on November 29, 2011 at 2:26pm

I have seen more and more people being called Professor.

When we are introduced as "Master, Grandmaster, Professor, Doju" or whatever title we hold, how do you think that influences people initial and overall impression?

Comment by Wael on November 29, 2011 at 1:50pm

Oh, right. Interestingly, such titles are even more important in the third world. Someone with an engineering degree is referred to as "Engineer so-and-so", someone with an accounting or law degree in Latin America is called "licenciado", and anyone with a PhD is "Doctor". My father has a PhD in plant science, and other Egyptians always call him Doctor.

 

As far as us martial artists, I think some of this goes back to what we discussed about the titles "master" and "grandmaster" and how some people are uncomfortable with them. I don't like them, myself. I wish there were some other title by which I could introduce a "master". I've been taking some Jeet Kune Do classes lately and I'm not about to starting referring to the instructor as "Grandmaster Nazario". Forget it.

 

On the other hand, the head of the Jujitsu style I study goes by the title "Soke" which means founder, and I'm totally comfortable with that. I have no problem referring to him as Soke Irie Yasuhiro.

Comment by Daniel McCullar on November 29, 2011 at 1:39pm

Actually, I am referring to the non-martial arts world. Many people in politics and medical and careers where title follow them and are the norm many times are introduced with their titles attached to their names. If a doctor is at a fundraiser or political event, chances are he will be introduced as Doctor Smith. If a politician is at the same he most likely would be introduced as Mayor, Governor, senator So-and-So. 

When introduced with their title how would their initial impression be affected? Is it beneficial or even proper to do so. Would we fall under the same when we are masters and grandmasters.

Or is it just a status thing. I know that when I introduce my teacher it is as Grandmaster and his name. If I were not his student would I do the same? I dunno, but should I?!

Comment by Wael on November 28, 2011 at 10:02pm

I think titles as a measure of worth are meaningless. What matters more are qualifications. Unfortunately the average potential student who walks into a studio knowing nothing about martial arts, has no way to accurately measure an instructor's qualifications. So he goes by titles and and rank.

 

Your question was a bit vague, so I'm not sure what you mean exactly, but I do think titles are important in class as far as showing respect. I always address my Jujijtsu instructor as Sensei or sir. Outside of class I'm less formal and I often call him "boss".