The Portuguese titles Dr and Dra explained.

[John]

An interesting point has been raised in respect of the use of the terms Dr and Dra in Portugal.

In the UK we associate the term Dr solely in relation to someone who is a medical doctor or who holds a PHD in another discipline.

In Portugal apparently, the term Dr is used by graduates including law graduates, the female equivalent being Dra. 

Similarly, people with doctorates (PhD but not MD) are titled as Professor.

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[Carana]

An interesting point has been raised in respect of the use of the terms Dr and Dra in Portugal.

In the UK we associate the term Dr solely in relation to someone who is a medical doctor or who holds a PHD in another discipline.

In Portugal apparently, the term Dr is used by graduates including law graduates, the female equivalent being Dra. 

Similarly, people with doctorates (PhD but not MD) are titled as Professor.

Interesting point. The title of "Dr" does confer a certain academic aura. As he's obviously not a medical doctor,when and where did Amaral gain a PhD?

[jassi]

Interesting point. The title of "Dr" does confer a certain academic aura. As he's obviously not a medical doctor,when and where did Amaral gain a PhD?

Isn't it to do with his law degree?

[Mr Gray]

Isn't it to do with his law degree?

it seems in portugal and elsewhere in Europe a BA is sufficient to use the title Dr...he certainly doesn't have a Phd

[Mr Gray]

It appears from this he should not be using the title...


In Portugal, up to recent times after the completion of an undergraduate degree – except in architecture and engineering – a person was referred to as doutor (Dr.) – male or doutora (Dra.) – female. The architects and engineers were referred by their professional titles: arquitecto (Arq.) and engenheiro (Eng.). Nurses ares also referred to as "nurse", enfermeiro (male) or enfermeira (female), the title being Enf. for both.

Nowadays Portugal is a signatory to the Bologna process and according to the current legislation the title of Doctor (doutor, doutora) is reserved for graduate holders of an academic doctorate.[31] Professions such as physicians, attorneys, pharmacists, veterinarians, and few others are usually referred to by the title Dr. (doutor) even if they have not been awarded a doctoral degree.

[jassi]

What does attorney mean in this context?

I see Wiki  - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_Bar_Association    says that attorneys can be the equivalent of solicitors or barristers

[Brietta]

So it is not Dr ... but Snr?   &%+((£

[John]

It appears from this he should not be using the title...


In Portugal, up to recent times after the completion of an undergraduate degree – except in architecture and engineering – a person was referred to as doutor (Dr.) – male or doutora (Dra.) – female. The architects and engineers were referred by their professional titles: arquitecto (Arq.) and engenheiro (Eng.). Nurses ares also referred to as "nurse", enfermeiro (male) or enfermeira (female), the title being Enf. for both.

Nowadays Portugal is a signatory to the Bologna process and according to the current legislation the title of Doctor (doutor, doutora) is reserved for graduate holders of an academic doctorate.[31] Professions such as physicians, attorneys, pharmacists, veterinarians, and few others are usually referred to by the title Dr. (doutor) even if they have not been awarded a doctoral degree.

Most interesting Dave, I must admit I never took much notice of this previously.  Can I add the following...

The system of Portuguese titles

Having a Degree entitles you to use “Dr” (or Dra = “Doutora” for a woman), unless it’s in engineering in which case the title is Eng or Enga (“Engenheiro”, “Engenheira”) or in architecture in which case it’s Arq or Arqa (“Arquitecto”, “Arquitecta”)

Having a Masters Degree theoretically entitles you to the title “Mestre” but this is only used in formal or written situations in the academic world.

People with doctorates (PhD but not MD) are titled as Professor (”Professor Doutor”), so don’t assume a Professor holds a professorial chair or is even a university teacher.

So there we have it,  it is quite correct for us Brits to refer to Dr Amaral as plain old Mr Amaral and to Dra Duarte as Mrs Duarte.

[Alice Purjorick]

What does attorney mean in this context?

I see Wiki  - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese_Bar_Association    says that attorneys can be the equivalent of solicitors or barristers

I wonder what the "a few others" encompasses.
I doubt any one's qualifications will be considered much when the Judge considers the verdict. Except Mr Pike possibly.

[jassi]

I wonder what the "a few others" encompasses.
I doubt any one's qualifications will be considered much when the Judge considers the verdict. Except Mr Pike possibly.

Well yes - if you put yourself forward in a professional or expert capacity, qualifications are very relevant, otherwise of very little importance.

[Carana]

Most interesting Dave, I must admit I never took much notice of this previously.  Can I add the following...

The system of Portuguese titles

Having a Degree entitles you to use “Dr” (or Dra = “Doutora” for a woman), unless it’s in engineering in which case the title is Eng or Enga (“Engenheiro”, “Engenheira”) or in architecture in which case it’s Arq or Arqa (“Arquitecto”, “Arquitecta”)

Having a Masters Degree theoretically entitles you to the title “Mestre” but this is only used in formal or written situations in the academic world.

People with doctorates (PhD but not MD) are titled as Professor (”Professor Doutor”), so don’t assume a Professor holds a professorial chair or is even a university teacher.

So there we have it,  it is quite correct for us Brits to refer to Dr Amaral as plain old Mr Amaral and to Dra Duarte as Mrs Duarte.

Isabel Duarte's academic legal training:
http://conselho--superior.blogspot.com/2010/10/curriculum-vitae-isabel-duarte.html

I can't find where Amaral did his. 

Was this an internal course within the PJ to qualify as a potential coordinator?

[John]

It's like many things in this case, there is no direct correlation between what is acceptable in Portugal compared to what we take for granted in the UK (Scottish Law excluded).

[Carana]

I think we got caught up in musical threads again.


Anyway.


Isabel Duarte's academic legal training:
http://conselho--superior.blogspot.com/2010/10/curriculum-vitae-isabel-duarte.html

I can't find where Amaral did his.

Was this an internal course within the PJ to qualify as a potential coordinator?

[John]

Seems Mr Amaral, born 1959, obtained a university degree in juridical and criminal science in1980, the year before he joined the Portuguese police.

[Alfred R Jones]

How do they address genuine doctors over there?  There's something ever-so-slightly sad about people who insist on drawing attention to their educational qualifications in their names. 

Alfred R Jones - BA (Hons)