In many traditional martial arts, titles can be sort of confusing to remember. In the Western world, we tend to use the term "Professor" when addressing a college or graduate school instructor, or the term "Doctor" when addressing a medical specialist. However, many times, the use of titles in martial arts is misunderstood, and somehow the same etiquette tends to fly by the wayside in the Western culture.
In Chinese martial arts and Chinese-based martial systems, the use of titles for teachers and coaches changes depending on the relationship between individual and the teacher within a school or system. It is the students and general public that refer to a teacher by a title. One typically never refers to themselves by a title.
Of course, in any martial arts nowadays, if a teacher prefers to be called by their given name outside of the school, then that's what the students follow. This post is not to berate martial artists for not recognizing their teacher's titles, but to recognize the traditional connotations behind the titles.
In this series, I'll be sharing both the general outlook of martial arts titles, and how they apply to my classes at my school. I'll present one blog post per Title.
Sifu:
A term that can be translated as "Teacher-Father" (or nowadays "teacher-parent"), and the standard term for a head instructor (usually upper level rank) of a school. The term doesn't literally mean "Master", although the title implies that the Sifu is the "master of the house", i.e. caretaker/main manager/main teacher of the school (Kwoon).
Generally, the title "Sifu" had been used for male teachers only, while the title "Simo" was used to refer to female teachers or the wife of a (male) Sifu. Nowadays, many schools choose the use the term "Sifu" for anyone that is head of a school (or has been bestowed the title by their own Sifu).
The students usually call their own teacher "Sifu". However, traditionally, the teachers typically do not call themselves "Sifu", nor do they refer to themselves as a "Master". The general public may refer to the teacher as "Sifu" or "Master" to show recognition of their position and knowledge, but a more appropriate term that the public may use is "Laoshi", which is the general term for a teacher or those with long experience and wisdom in a particular subject.
These days, teachers refer to themselves as Sifu when stating who is writing an email or calling on the phone (i.e. "Hi John, this is Sifu Restita, got a minute to discuss your upcoming exam?). But typically we wouldn't introduce ourselves to others with a title. We should never say "Hi, nice to meet you, i'm Sifu Restita DeJesus"). Nor would we sign emails or letters with a title.
Titles are meant to be used by students of a teacher, when speaking to or speaking of their teacher. For example, when introducing your teacher to another person, it is considered etiquette proper etiquette to say "James, this is my Kung Fu teacher, Sifu Restita DeJesus. Sifu, this is James."
At our school, the Sifu title is bestowed by the Chief Teacher to Black Belts who reach 3rd degree level and show an interest in teaching and sharing the arts. However the title is not necessarily automatically bestowed when a black belt reaches 3rd degree. In some schools, a title is adopted if a teacher/Master/Grandmaster refers to them with the title. For example, when I was presented with my teaching certificate in Wushu and Tai Chi at a large celebration banquet , my Sifu presented me to the audience as "Sifu Restita DeJesus", informing the martial arts community in attendance that it is now my current position within her curriculum, because I was to teach her curriculum outside her school.
Traditionally, there is only one "Sifu" at a school, being the head of the school. However nowadays many contemporary schools recognize other Sifu that were promoted to the title by the "Chief" Sifu, as the term can apply to anyone with much more experience in their field than those who are addressing the teachers. The title Sifu is also used in some schools to refer to teachers that have their own class within the school.
Keep in mind, that the title of the teacher changes, depending on who is referring to them. As already mentioned, students call their teacher "Sifu". However if a student is a black belt and has students of their own, their students call the teacher's teacher "Sigung" (implying "grandparent"). However that title is for another blog post.
Other titles a Sifu might hold is "Sibak" (older uncle, although the term"Simo" is sometimes used for older auntie. My school tends to recognize the term " Sibak". For example, if one my junior classmates (that I studied under the same Sifu with) has students and they come visit my Kwoon, their students would technically call me 'Sibak' while the Junior classmate could call me 'Sihing" (elder brother) or more appropriately, 'Sijie' (elder sister).
But I digress. Those titles are for other following blog posts. 😊
In our lineage, at my Kwoon, it is considered good manners for students to address the head teachers of Sifu ranks, by their title even outside of the school. Many Westerners tend to think they can call their teachers by their first name without the title, outside of the school. However, addressing the teacher by their earned title is like addressing a Doctor if you meet them at a grocery store. If you saw your doctor at the store, most people wouldn't say "Hey Mark, good to see ya!".....you'd most likely say "Wow Dr. Mark, (or Doctor Johnson), I didn't know you shopped at this store too...", etc etc. The same would apply in good manners in martial arts. Same with kids addressing their teachers at their grade school, middle school or high school.....kids tend to address their teachers as "Ms. Johnson" instead of "Lily" if seeing them at the store. It's something naturally done by kids. In our lineage, the same applies. This is a kung fu etiquette that symbolizes that there is no difference in respect between Kwoon and outside the Kwoon. For example, regardless of the surroundings, the teacher still has more experience than you.
Generally, the public would refer to the teacher as "Lo Si" (Cantonese) or "Laoshi" (Mandarin) as a term of recognition of an individual's position of a teacher. It is polite to uses the term plus the teacher's last name.
However, regardless of the title, I suggest that students start by being polite, use a teacher's title, and allow the teacher to request that you call them by their given names outside of the Kwoon. Try not to ask "What you want me to call you outside the Kwoon?" because that puts the teacher in a very awkward position, because even while they're trying to teach you the politeness of titles, they don't want to seem egotistical by saying "call me Sifu". If they request that you call them by their first names outside of the Kwoon, then do so....and it is proper to not forget the position and experience they hold. If they don't correct you, that's fine too, because perhaps the etiquette is something they in turn follow with their own teachers. Both are fine.
Titles in the Chinese martial arts can be a confusing thing, especially since the use of them are based on family positions (parent, uncle, older/younger siblings, etc etc). When in doubt, ask the teacher "Can you explain the use of the title _______?" I'm sure teachers will appreciate you willingness to learn.
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