What's in a name? Part 3: "Sigung"

 

In this post we explore the title "Sigung"(Cantonese), which is used in many Kung Fu schools to refer to a "Teacher's teacher". In the familial hierarchy, the title Sigung would be like saying "grandfather". Traditionally, the term is for male teachers, however females use this title in some kung fu schools.

Keep in mind, that the title is based on a student's direct relationship with the teacher. If you are the student of a Sifu, you call them "Sifu", regardless of any other title that teacher might hold. If you are a black belt and have students, your students would refer to your teacher as "Sigung",....."grandparent". 

In my school's Kajukenbo lineage, the title "Sigung" is bestowed on black belts of 6 and 7th degree. However, it is considered a category of rank.

The Sifu with the title would never refer to themselves as "Sigung", nor should the teacher's students call them that. Sometimes, the public will address the teacher with the title to acknowledge the teacher's experience and position.

I've heard the general public (as with young student's parents) refer to me as "Sigung" (because that was the last known title they remember), or even sometimes "Professor", as it is my current rank category. I've told Parents that "Sifu" is fine when addressing me when their kids are around, to set a good example for the kids, or that they can just refer to me as "Lo-Si"...."teacher".

That being said, a more appropriate term that the public could use for a teacher (regardless of martial arts title) is "Lo-Si" (Laoshi in Mandarin), which means simply "Teacher".  It is a term primarily used for academic instructors or instructors of any subject, but is sometimes used by the public to address a teacher in a polite way. Students of a Sifu should not refer to their own teacher as "Lo-Si", as the term is considered "generic" and moves away from the family relationship within a martial arts school. But, that's for another blog post!

Proper etiquette dicates that a teacher never refers to themselves as any title in the general public, but only when speaking with students or their students. Signature lines in emails often have just a teacher's name, or "Lo-Si" in front of their name (or more traditionally, behind their name). This is to refer to themselves as simply "Teacher John Smith".

Titles are meant as a means for the students and public to address a teacher, or to recognize a teacher's experience. To introduce oneself as "Master John Smith" or "Grandmaster Smith" would make someone appear pretentious or pompous.

As always, ask your teacher about the use of titles if your art uses them.