Language and Gender

Question 1

define deficit model + theorists

Answer 1

women’s language being deficient in some way. (Lakoff, Jespersen)

Question 2

define dominance model + theorists

Answer 2

men’s language reflects their position in society. (Spender, Zimmerman and West)

Question 3

define difference model + theorists

Answer 3

men and women’s language is different based off different socialisation. (Tannen)

Question 4

define diversity model + theorists

Answer 4

men and women are more alike, looks at other factors aside from gender. (Butler, Cameron)

Question 5

Lakoff’s research

Answer 5

• 1975 book ‘language and a woman place’

- list of female conventions (more specialist language, fillers, empty adjectives, intensifiers etc.)

Question 6

Jespersen’s research

Answer 6

• 1922 book, chapter: the woman

- derogatory and stereotypical characteristics (women talk a lot, more emotional, smaller vocabulary, indirect etc.)

Question 7

6 contrasts of the difference model:

Answer 7

• advice vs understanding
• status vs support
• independence vs intimacy
• conflict vs compromise
• information vs feelings
• orders vs proposals

Question 8

Zimmerman and West’s research + Beattie’s research

Answer 8

• sampled 11 conversations, found that men interrupt more than women.
• Beattie found that 52% of men interrupted more than the 48% of women.

Question 9

O’Barr and Atkins- courtroom talk + powerless language

Answer 9

• 3 men and 3 women studied for 30 months
• women with higher status used fewer women traits when speaking.
• men with lower status would use a few instances of women traits.
• powerless language= speech marked by hesitancy and tentativeness

Question 10

Cheshire’s study

Answer 10

• 1982 reading study in a playground
• young boys used more non-standard forms (identity marker)
• young girls used more standard forms (not as concerned with identity)

Question 11

Fishman’s ‘shitwork’ theory

Answer 11

quote: “women are the ‘shitworkers’ of routine interaction”
- women try to retain conversation more than men
- women’s efforts are ignored

Question 12

Butler’s research + gender performativity

Answer 12

• she believes gender is performed, we conform to this idea of gender.
• said to be the most contemporary theory of language and gender.