I use the word w/much " estima " when I say it when the woman I am directing it is poor, middle class or upper class. I guess back then it was the elite that had that right. I used the word "dona" before the 25 de Abril,1974 revolution
On Tuesday, April 29, 2014 7:55:28 PM UTC-4, Isabella Baltar wrote: > > I would like to be the voice of my 3rd great grandfather, Francisco > Ferreira Drummond, on the use of “Dona” in Portugal and Azores until the > XVIII century. > > On the first volume of his Annaes da Ilha Terceira, on page 19, note n. 5, > he writes: > > “…signal d’estima, que antigamente só era concedido pelos Reis a seus > descendentes, e aos ricos homens....” > > In other words: a tribute of respect, in ancient times, given only by the > Kings to his descendants, and to the rich man. > > He also says: > > “Que diremos hoje à liberdade, e à lisonja com que este appellido se > dá.....” > > Here we can see how the use of “Dona” became common at his time – he wrote > this around 1830. > > Besides what he wrote, I can only confirm what others already mentioned. > In Portugal, Azores and Brasil, Dona or Senhora, is a respectful and common > way to talk to someone older than you. The same doesn't apply to Dom, > the old title given to a noble, rich man, this one is out of use in our > days. Senhor is the correct and respectful choice one can use. > > Isabella Baltar > > myportuguesegen.blogspot.com > >> >> -- For options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Azores Genealogy" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/azores.
