Help on abbreviature used on Hyperion Cantos

[Mateus]

Hello all, I've recently started the 3rd book of the Hyperion Cantos series by Dan Simmons and, although this is a fantastic series, does anyone knows what the M. and A. stands for? He uses this as abbreviation for the characters, like Brawne Lamia becomes M. Lamia, Fedman Kassad becomes M. Kassad. I chose to ignore it on the first two books, but on the third I've realised that the Androids start with A. instead of M., does this means that M stands for Man(kind) and A for Android?

I know it must be a lame question, but what do you all think?

Thanks.

[[deleted user]]

I think your supposition is essentially correct.

In SF&F, I usually assume an "M." is a gender-neutral honorific/title in place of tradition English Mr./Miss/Mrs./Ms. (Also "Ser" in some sword & sorcery.) Not necessarily standing for "Mankind", but human of either gender.

I'm pretty sure your supposition of "A" is spot on, e.g. A. Bettik.

[[deleted user]]

Ah, TV tropes' entry for Fantastic Honorifics concurs with your interpretation, too. (Scroll down to Dan Simmons under Literature heading.)

[Jennifer]

Dan was probably also somewhat homaging Asimov, where robots are traditionally indicated by adding Robot before the name, shortened to R. - hence R. Daneel Olivaw.

[Mateus]

Fantastic! Thank you all for helping me on this one ;). It'll make a lot more sense now!