My MC is a Swedish woman living in Paris, 1880s, and occasionally she's referred to as "Mademoiselle"--the French term for "Miss". Another character is Italian, but rather than calling him "Monsieur", he is referred to as "Signore"--which is Italian for "Mister". Both are opera singers, but the Italian character is a famous baritone, while the MC is only just beginning her career. Now I'm wondering if this is a discrepancy.
Would he be called "Signore So-and-So" instead of "Monsieur So-and-So," just because he's a famous Italian singer, perhaps to show respect to his origins? And if he is called "Signore," ought the woman to likewise be called by the Swedish term for "Miss"? I would much prefer to call her "Mademoiselle" but I don't want readers to wonder why she's addressed in French, but the man is given his Italian honorific. Should I change his to "Monsieur" or is the discrepancy allowable because she's not yet famous?
Would he be called "Signore So-and-So" instead of "Monsieur So-and-So," just because he's a famous Italian singer, perhaps to show respect to his origins? And if he is called "Signore," ought the woman to likewise be called by the Swedish term for "Miss"? I would much prefer to call her "Mademoiselle" but I don't want readers to wonder why she's addressed in French, but the man is given his Italian honorific. Should I change his to "Monsieur" or is the discrepancy allowable because she's not yet famous?
