Hi Marshall, Notwithstanding Miguel's long answer to your question and winding explanation of the whole subject, a short and correct answer would be that it is a hangover from the days of Portuguese governance.
In those days, professionals had their professions prepended to their names. Valmiki or Paulo Colaco-Dias who knew those days well could confirm and perhaps explain the rationale. Some other European nations do likewise. When in Holland and Switzerland, I saw plaques outside medical doctor's offices saying "Mr ..... Bachelor of Medical Arts. In the USA lawyers are referred to as "Edward Jones Esq.". In the UK the 'Esq' is appending to squires and gentlemen. In India, some people still mail letters as Marshall Mendonca Esq. - from the days during British rule when every gentleman was politely addressed as esquire and every man was deemed a gentleman. Oh for the days when civility was the norm. Letters in Portuguese in Goa were addressed as Exmo. Sr. This form of address is still used in the Portuguese speaking world. See this little jewel I came across: http://familyresearchlibrary.com/pubs/36341_LWGPortuguese.pdf Regards, Roland. Exmo Sr Roland Francis :-) Toronto +1 (416) 453.3371 On 8/5/08, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I have been observing one pecularity particular to goans i.e. appending their > professions before their names eg. Advocate..., Engineer ..., Architect.... > Besides of course the sundry doctors whether of medicine or philosophy or > plain honorary. No where in the rest of India is there such a standard > practice except for doctors which is understandable. Can someone throw light > about this practice? Is it a way to display class or superiority?Generally > those who cannot command respect demand respect by displaying their > qualifications in matters not connected with their subject. > > Regards, > > Marshall > -- Roland Francis Toronto +1 (416) 453.3371