Language and Gender Variations

This assignment delves into the fascinating realm of language and gender. It encourages students to analyze how linguistic choices vary between genders and how these variations are influenced by social factors, power dynamics, and cultural norms. Drawing upon scholarly works on sociolinguistics and gender studies, students will examine specific linguistic features like word choice, grammatical structures, and discourse patterns, demonstrating how they contribute to the construction of gender identities and roles within society.

Language and Sex

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Sociolinguistics can be defined as a study which focuses on association between language
and society. It focuses on different social factors which can influence the language and these are
Gender, ethnicity, age and social class, etc. Majorly, Sociolinguists conduct research on specific
functions of language which are used by different gender to convey social meaning or aspects of
their identity (Graddol and Swan, 1989). Language is an important communication tool for
individuals which can represent the perspectives of both gender. The current essay is based on
language and sex and it will focus on language usage difference between two different gender. It
will describe how language supports, efforts and maintain attitude about gender in general and in
women particular. The current essay will describe some of interpretations which have conducted
by past research scholars. Further, essay will critically analyse these interpretations and then
provide his/her own opinion about the acceptance and rejection towards the findings of
interpretations (O'Barr and Atkins, 1980). The present research will focus on key sociolinguistic
approaches, issues relevant to the association of language and gender. Further, difference
between male and female speech are also describing in the following paragraphs of the essay.
MAIN BODY
Number of approaches which help in determining relationship between language and
gender. These are biological approach, cultural approach, power and dominance approach and
social construction approach. These approaches has easily determined the reason behind the use
of different language by male and female (Beattie and Whalley, 1982).
In 1960s biological factors were considered as major factor behind the variation in
language of different gender. Along with this, biological approach was the first concern in the
field of Sociolinguistic research. Lakoff, 1975 has concluded that “lexical, phonological, and
morphological forms are considered as major base behind the difference between speech
behaviour of men and women” (Lakoff, 1975). As per this statement it can be said that voice
characteristics of typical men is quite different from voice characteristics of typical women.
Generally women have a fundamental voice frequency nearly twice as high as of men.
West and Zimmerman, 1983 has concluded that “Men and women are belonged to two
different subculture thus they uses different language for developing their own identify within
their groups or in front of society” (West and Zimmerman, 1983). Tanner and Tanner, 1990 has
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asserted that “girls or females are generally use to engage with small group or pairs” (Tanner and
Tanner, 1990). Major aim of female’s speech in their group is to build friendship, loyalty,
equality, a win-win situation and lack of desire to be a leader. Along with this, they also motivate
others for the same by their language. But on the other hand, males likes to work with large
hierarchy and organized groups. Males are more interested in power, status and control. They
want to gain participant’s attraction and win the situation by their language. They likes to
showing skills, size and dominance even when other speaks. Therefore, cultural differences
influence male and female to use different functions of language (Cameron, 2007).
Cheshire, 1982 has concluded that power and dominance is also one of the major reason
behind the use of different language (Cheshire, 1982). This is because of the communication
issues between men and women due to unequal hierarchical statuses and gender roles in society.
Generally, women’s speech is not considered as important, so, they use the linguistic forms
which are associated with the low position of society. Tag questions, question intonations,
hedges, politeness strategies, and others are the major variables of this form which are used by
women during their speech. On the other hand, men learned to dominate a conversation through
interruptions, talk time, etc. their speech focuses on power and dominance instead of politeness,
etc (Gender Differences in Language, 2016). So, gender is one of the major aspect which can
differentiate the use of language.
Trudgill, 1983 has concluded that social constructionist is also one of the important
approach which may have influence on use of language by different gender (Trudgill, 1983).
These approach does not only focus on social constructs but also relationship between gender
and other aspect of identity. Therefore, relationship between different individuals may vary the
language use.
Overall, major interpretations have reflected that there are different reasons because of
them language and gender are interrelated. These reasons are biology, culture, power and
dominance and social constructionist. Critical analysis of these statements have reflected that
biological aspects and cultural aspects are the major reason behind the use different functions of
the language by male and females. Gender uses those functions of language which show power
and dominance (Language and Gender: A Reading List, 2011). But on the other hand women
language is associated with the politeness, tag questions and hedges, etc. Along with this, social
relationship with the other aspects of identity also affect the use of language by male and female.
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West and Zimmerman, 1983 has concluded that “there are some sociolinguistic issues in
the field of language and gender” (West and Zimmerman, 1983). As per this statements one of
the major issues is that women and men develop different patterns for using language. It means,
both gender have their own language pattern for use which create differentiation between
language and gender. But on the other hand, Women’s tendency is to use affective functions of
an interaction more often than men. Similarly, O'Barr and Atkins, 1980 has concluded that
“Generally women tend to use linguistic devices that stress solidarity more often than men”
(O'Barr and Atkins, 1980). In contrast, Beattie and Whalley, 1982 “women tend to interact in
way that will help in maintaining and increasing unity in entire group but on the other hand men
believes in the use of such kind of language which maintain and increase their power and status”
(Beattie and Whalley, 1982). Along with this, most of the research studies have disclosed that
women’s language is more flexible than men. Overall, critical evaluation of all interpretations
have reflected that gender has direct impacts on use of different types of language but it is
associated with the number of factors and attributes.
Gradol and Swann, 1989 has stated that “People’s speech can be influenced by two major
factors such as sex and gender” (Graddol and Swan, 1989). So, it is necessary to understand the
concept of sex and gender. Graddol and Swan, 1989 has found that “Sex is a biological founded
and gender is social constructed”. It means sex refers to the biological differences between males
and females but on the other hand gender means social characters tics of an individuals which are
developed on the basis of society and culture. Gradol and Swann has also found that language is
personal and can be influenced by the fundamental sexual differences among humankinds. In
contrast, language is a social which can in easily influenced by the social surroundings.
Therefore, language has direct relationship with personal and social aspects of individuals so, it
is associated with the sex and gender also.
Trudgill, 1983 has concluded that “Language difference between male and female can be
determined by the use of nouns and noun phrases” (Trudgill, 1983). As per this statement it can
be easily analysed that generally women language used phrases in cooperative and polite way but
on the other hand men’s phrases are linked with the competitive and impolite way. Nouns and
noun phrases are very important part of language. Trudgill, 1983 has concluded that “men and
women can be differentiate in terms of way which are used by men to manage people and give
order while women often soften on their demands and statements”.
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As per the view of Szmrecsanyi (2013), in order to have effective understanding about
the language variation, it is significant for individual to consider issues and correlation between
social variables and linguistic variables. Social factors also plays a key role in use of language
such as age, social class, etc. These aspects are related with the variation in the production and
use of certain linguistic variables (Szmrecsanyi, 2013). It has been noticed that the
sociolinguistic has its own key priorities that need to be consider effectively while having a use
of language. Bamberg (2007) has contended that the individual capabilities also plays a key role
in use of language so it is essential to understand capability of speakers. It has been identified
that the more conscious people are of their language use, the more they will shift their language
behavior (Bamberg, 2007). One of key issue in this is regarding correlation between attention to
speech and linguistic variation.
Fought, (2014) has asserted that there are few possible ways that can be understand to
understand the variations in language as per differences in gender. By having improved focus on
volume, pitch range, tempo and breathing rate the variations can be understand in appropriate
manner. Along with this, the interpretation of cultural aspects also have great impact on the
Sociolinguistic (Fought, 2014). It means the community also plays a key role in selection of
language among different genders. In order to have effective understanding about language
variations the relationship between communities also need to be evaluated in appropriate
manner. Liao (2009) has critically concluded that the use of specific form of practice also
influences the community which creates variation between language use. Nation community is
considered as internal factor that creates variations among Sociolinguistic. However, the social
class is referred as one of key problem in regard to variations (Liao, 2009).
Number of studies has been accomplished in order to understand the constructive
potential of language which is being used in a specific are for specific time period. In addiction
to this, Kristiansen and Dirven (2008) has asserted that the people uses language as per their
needs and situation they are dealing with. In this respect, it can be stated that the social and
cultural aspects are most essential section of Sociolinguistics. By understanding the social
features in appropriate manner, variation in language can be understand in appropriate manner
(Kristiansen and Dirven, 2008). Along with this, the geographic and ethnic factors also plays a
vital role in language selection. Gal (2015) has said that the linguistic variation is considered as
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implication of diverse variables that shows independent set of language. For example, in English
there are number of variations while having final arrangement of words. It is because differences
in belief of individual (Gal, 2015). For example, the men belief on the significance of message so
they consider appropriate use of words. As same women consider feeling as important aspect so
while formation of sentence they focuses on the meaning of sentence.
According to Coupland (2007), the linguistic variable is also dependent on the micro-
social and macro social frames. It also has involvement in sociolinguistic phenomenon. In
addition to this, the use of language also have variations because of changes in co-variants and
independent variables. Socio-psychologicals elements also considered while having a use of
linguistic system (Coupland, 2007). Moreover, the demographic variables also bring variations
because it has direct influence on the belief and motive of communication. Every social group
has focus on different behavioural factors that may create issue. Practices in respect to
communities and power relations also bring variations in use of language as per gender
differences. Szmrecsanyi (2013) has critically concluded that the distributionist approach can be
accessed to have understanding about language variations. Individual has concern with the
direction and spread of linguistic variables over specific and predetermined social variables. By
adding variable rules to formal representation, proper understanding in regard to language
variation can be attained in appropriate manner. Other than this, the external variations also has
impact on the selection of language during communication (Kristiansen and Dirven, 2008).
Classification of external factors can be as occupation, education, income, housing and local
perspective.
As per the view of Bamberg (2007), while using English language the men focuses more
on higher proportion of dental consonant as compared to women. This kind of variation is due to
differences in belief in regard to social class. However, the women are more focused towards
velar plosive. Along with this, it has also been noticed that the men also uses high frequency of
nonstandard forms as compared to women. In addition to this, the women are in the support of
incoming prestige form during the communication so that goals and objectives can be
accomplished in appropriate manner (Liao, 2009). Demographic aspects also need to be
consider in appropriate manner in order to have effective understanding about language
variations. Moreover, major interpretations has stated that the there are number of reasons that
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need to consider because language and gender are not interlinked in direct manner. It is all
dependent on the nature and belief of individual. Classification of significant factors can be as
biology, culture, power and dominance and social constructionist. Fought (2014) has also
contended that the women mainly focuses on the voice tone during the communication because
they mainly focuses on the formal ways. On the other side, men are more focused towards use of
words because they belief in validity and reliability of the information.
There are number of theories which helps in understanding relationship between gender
and language. As per the Cheshire 1982 “Men does not focus on grammatical language as
compare to women” (Cheshire, 1982). As per this statement at the time of using language female
focus on grammatical and other forms but men does not pay attention towards the same. On the
other hand Robin Lakoff 1975 has stated that “Women’s language generally focuses on hedges,
fillers, tag questions, apologetic requests, indirect requests, speak less, use fewer expletives,
more intensifiers” (Lakoff, 1975). Due to these words women’s language shows more inferior,
weak and needy and prevents women from being taken seriously”. As per this statement due to
the use of different types of filters and tag question women makes their language weak
comparatively men. But on the other hand, O'Barr and Atkins 1980 has stated that “All male and
females who belong to low social status use linguistic features” (O'Barr and Atkins 1980).
Therefore, as per this theory women’s language is not weak as compare to men. It has disclosed
that low status people uses linguistic language.
But on the other hand, research of Zimmerman and West 1975 has concluded that men is
more dominating as compare to women because 96% interruptions were made by men in a single
conversations and it is a reflection of male dominance in discussion. Therefore, this theory has
found that male language is more dominating as compare to females (Zimmerman and West
1975).
There are more authors who have conducted by number of authors on similar subjects
which have concluded different findings such as Tanner 1990 has stated that “male is more
concerned towards the status, interruption, direct orders, mind conflicts and solving problems”
(Tanner 1990). Author has also stated that females are interested in for bond, tend to agree more
and less talk, politeness, indirect order, avoid conflicts, high understanding by compromising and
offering support and no solution, etc. Therefore, this theory has stated that all these factors have
direct impact on women’s language. In contrast, Beattie 1982 has disclosed that “sometimes
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men’s interruptions is a sign of support and appropriate understanding instead of dominance”.
Therefore, this theory is a critique of the findings of dominance theory of Zimmerman and West
1975. Overall, all the above discussed theories plays important role in determining relationship
and differences between language and gender (Tanner and Tanner, 1990).
CONCLUSION
The current research project is based on language and gender. It has been focused on
differences and similarities between gender and use of languages. It has described that men and
women have developed their own pattern of language which cerates supports, efforts and
maintain attitude towards the other identity. The current essay has described four major
approaches which can be used by different genders at the time of using language. Along with
this, these approaches has also helped in determining reason behind the difference of language in
different gender. These approaches are biological approach, cultural approach, power and
dominance approach and social construction approach. On the other hand, difference between
language and gender is also analysed by different theories which have introduced by number of
researchers in past. These theories have reflected that use of linguistics forms and level of status
are considered as major reasons behind the difference in use of language among two different
gender.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Bamberg, M., 2007. Narrative State of the Art (Vol. 6). John Benjamins Publishing.
Beattie, D. R. H. and Whalley, P. B., 1982. A simple two-phase frictional pressure drop
calculation method. International Journal of Multiphase Flow. 8(1). pp.83-87.
Cameron, L., 2007. Confrontation or complementarity?: Metaphor in language use and cognitive
metaphor theory. Annual Review of Cognitive Linguistics. 5(1). pp.107-135.
Cheshire, J., 1982. Variation in an English dialect: A sociolinguistic study.Cambridge Studies in
Linguistics London, 37.
Coupland, N., 2007. Style: Language variation and identity. Cambridge University Press.
Fought, C. ed., 2014. Sociolinguistic variation: Critical reflections. Oxford University Press.
Gal, S., 2015. Language, gender, and power. Gender articulated: Language and the socially
constructed self. 8(4). pp.170-182.
Graddol, G. and Swan, J., 1989. Gender Voice Oxford: Blackwell Ltd
Kristiansen, G. and Dirven, R. eds., 2008. Cognitive sociolinguistics: Language variation,
cultural models, social systems. Walter de Gruyter.
Lakoff, R., 1975. LINGUISTIC THEORY AND THE REAL WORLD1.Language
Learning. 25(2). pp.309-338.
Liao, S., 2009. Variation in the use of discourse markers by Chinese teaching assistants in the
US. Journal of Pragmatics. 41(7). pp.1313-1328.
O'Barr, W. M. and Atkins, B. K., 1980. " Women's language" or" powerless language"?.
Szmrecsanyi, B., 2013. Morphosyntactic persistence in spoken English: A corpus study at the
intersection of variationist sociolinguistics, psycholinguistics, and discourse analysis.
Walter de Gruyter.
Tanner, J. M. and Tanner, J. M., 1990. Foetus into man: Physical growth from conception to
maturity. Harvard University Press.
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Trudgill, P., 1983. Sociolinguistics: an introduction to language and society. Harmondsworth,
Middlesex, England, Penguin.
West, C. and Zimmerman, D. H., 1983. Small insults: A study of interruptions in cross-sex
conversations betwe en unacquainted persons. Language, gender and society. pp.102-
117.
Online
Gender Differences in Language. 2016. [pdf]. Available through: <
http://www.diva-portal.se/smash/get/diva2:415214/FULLTEXT01.pdf >. [Accessed on
26th July 2016].
Language and Gender Theorists. 2016. [Online]. Available through: <
https://quizlet.com/9012037/language-and-gender-theorists-flash-cards/>. [Accessed on
26th July 2016].
Language and Gender: A Reading List. 2011. [Online]. Available through: <
https://www.nypl.org/blog/2011/03/15/language-gender-reading-list >. [Accessed on 26th
July 2016].
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