In English, when (if ever) is it appropriate to use the possessive with a formal title when addressing someone? Kind of like I would say, "As you wish, my greatest of loves."
For example,
Thank you, my Sensei.
Or should it simply be,
Thank you, Sensei.
Or, would the 'my' be used always and only along with the subject of learning? As in
Thank you, my Sensei of Swordsmanship.
but not
Thank you, Sensei of Sauciness.
I believe there is a component of cultural understanding and lingual comprehension of Japan and the Japanese language that may be necessary to answer fully with regards to "Sensei" in particular, but in general, how are possessives and titles combined?
Best Answer
When using a title to directly address the title-holder, "my" is usually omitted. When referring to the title-holder to another person, "my" is usually included.
Including 'my' when addressing someone is usually used to indicate affection or love. See Walt Whitman's O Captain, My Captain or the expression you gave as an example. There are a few exceptions ("My Lord" comes to mind), but most honorifics stand alone.
While I'm not Japanese, if I were your boxing coach and you said "Thank you, my Coach" I would assume you were either being facetious or did not have English as your first language. When I took beginner Aikido in my younger days I was instructed to refer to the Sensei simply as "Sensei" or "Takahashi-sensei".