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==Mentee==
==Mentee==
'''The student of a mentor is called''' a ''[[protégé]]'' or ''mentee''. More accurately, for the recondite, the protégé would be called the ''[[telemachus|telemachus]]'' (pl. ''telemachuses'' or ''telemachi''). Sometimes, the protégé is also called a ''mentee''. The ''-or'' ending of the original name Mentor does not have the meaning of "the one who does something", as in other [[English language|English]] words such as ''[[independent_contractor|contractor]]'' or ''[[actor]]''. The [[derivation]] of ''mentee'' from ''mentor'' is therefore an example of [[backformation]] (cf. ''employer'' and ''employee'').
'''The student of a mentor is called''' a ''[[protégé]]''. More accurately, for the recondite, the protégé would be called the ''[[telemachus|telemachus]]'' (pl. ''telemachuses'' or ''telemachi''). Sometimes, the protégé is also called a ''mentee''. The ''-or'' ending of the original name Mentor does not have the meaning of "the one who does something", as in other [[English language|English]] words such as ''[[independent_contractor|contractor]]'' or ''[[actor]]''. The [[derivation]] of ''mentee'' from ''mentor'' is therefore an example of [[backformation]] (cf. ''employer'' and ''employee'').


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 18:22, 6 August 2009

For other uses, see Mentor (Odyssey) (disambiguation).
Look up mentor (odyssey) in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

In Greek mythology, Mentor (Greek: Μέντωρ / Méntōr; gen.: Μέντορος)[1] was the son of Alcumus and, in his old age, a friend of Odysseus. When Odysseus left for the Trojan War he placed Mentor in charge of his son, Telemachus, and of his palace. When Athena visited Telemachus she took the disguise of Mentor to hide herself from the suitors of Telemachus' mother Penelope.[2] As Mentor, the goddess encourages Telemachus to stand up against the suitors and go abroad to find out what happened to his father.

When Odysseus returns to Ithaca, Athena (in the form of Mentor) takes the form of a swallow and the suitors' arrows have no effect on him.

Mentor as term

Main article: Mentorship

The first recorded modern usage of the term can be traced to a book entitled "Les Aventures de Telemaque", by the French writer François Fénelon[3] In the book the lead character is that of Mentor. This book was published in 1699 and was very popular during the 18th century and the modern application of the term can be traced to this publication.[3]

This is the source of the modern use of the word mentor: a trusted friend, counselor or teacher, usually a more experienced person. Some professions have "mentoring programs" in which newcomers are paired with more experienced people, who advise them and serve as examples as they advance. Schools sometimes offer mentoring programs to new students, or students having difficulties.

Today mentors provide expertise to less experienced individuals to help them advance their careers, enhance their education, and build their networks. In many different arenas people have benefited from being part of a mentoring relationship, including:

Mentee

The student of a mentor is called a protégé. More accurately, for the recondite, the protégé would be called the telemachus (pl. telemachuses or telemachi). Sometimes, the protégé is also called a mentee. The -or ending of the original name Mentor does not have the meaning of "the one who does something", as in other English words such as contractor or actor. The derivation of mentee from mentor is therefore an example of backformation (cf. employer and employee).

See also

References

  1. ^ Online Etymology Dictionary - Mentor
  2. ^ Homer. Odyssey, Book II, Lines 255 and 268.
  3. ^ a b Roberts, Andy. (1999) "The origins of the term mentor." History of Education Society Bulletin, No. 64, November 1999, p. 313-329.
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