Respect

[janeeastham]

What is a title of respect given to a person of high education in the Middle East?

[Quizmonster]

Effendi, perhaps, especially in Turkey.

[Peter Pedant]

no its    ustez

and means mister - Effendi I neva heard -

If he is a muslim cleric - Sheikh

blessed/venerable is mawlana (Turkish mevlana). but I never met one

The final syllable is pronounced like stairs

its the same word that becomes "he" in Spanish - usted.

BUT if the ME person is classical then you have to lisp the final eth - oo-stairth

That is because the final letter is a sounded th (like the th in breathe), and this is a z in all but the most classical dialects.

PP

[Xollob]

I can't say much about the Arabic-speaking Middle East, but Effendi is certainly valid for Turkey.

[Quizmonster]

Thanks, X, especially for the supporting link. I was beginning to think I'd dreamt it up myself!
In addition, Chambers Dictionary says of effendi..."generally in the eastern Mediterranean a title of respect for educated or high-ranking people" whilst TOED says it is "a title for government officials and members of the learned professions". Neither dictionary lists ustez.