Sociolinguistic Analysis of Women's Language: Features and Issues

This essay examines the features of women's language from a sociolinguistic perspective, focusing on differences between men and women in communication styles. It begins by outlining key characteristics identified by Robin Lakoff, such as hedging, politeness, tag questions, and emotional emphasis, and explores how these features reflect women's linguistic attitudes. The essay delves into the history of sociolinguistics, highlighting the impact of societal factors on language use, and discusses different ways language is employed by women, including variations in conversational patterns and the use of linguistic devices. It further explores the association between language, culture, and thought, and addresses the issues surrounding women's language, considering factors that influence interactions between genders. Through analysis of these elements, the essay aims to assess the validity of claims regarding gendered language use and its implications.

Essay on Women’s Language

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Features of women’s language....................................................................................................1
Sociolinguistics history................................................................................................................3
Different ways by which language is used..................................................................................3
Linguistic attitude........................................................................................................................5
Association between languages, culture and thoughts................................................................5
Issue of the women’s language....................................................................................................6
Major factors responsible for creating difference in the way by which women and men make
interactions with others................................................................................................................7
conclusion........................................................................................................................................8
references.........................................................................................................................................9

Different research studies have concluded that men and women use language differently.
As per the widespread belief “women talks more as compare to the men” (Hall and Bucholtz,
2012). But, most of the vresear4ch studies have found contradict findings about this beliefs.
Along with this, different genders discuss distinct topics such as men tend to talk about sports,
politics and cars but on the other hand women tend to discuss about child care and personal
relationships, etc. Most of the recent work in sociolinguistic has focused upon the variation in
conversational styles of men and women (Hellinger and Motschenbacher, 2015). The current
essay is also focus on features of different language and their use by women and men. Along
with this, it also focuses on impact on use of these features and its impact on confidence and
tentativeness. Therefore, major objective of this essay is to assess the claim that women do in
fact these such features more frequently than men and these features index lack of confidence
and nervousness (Gay, Hicks, Santacreu-Vasut and Shoham, 2015).
Essay will focus on the statement of Robin Lakoff in which she focused on gender
differences to syntax, semantic and style. In her research study she identified that women used
number of linguistic features which she claimed were used more often by women as compare to
men and which shows the expressed uncertainty, lack of confidence and nervousness (Ervin-
Tripp, 2014). Essay will focus on different ways by which language is used and linguistic
attitude. Further, it also shed lights on association between languages, culture and thoughts.
Including this, issue of the women’s language is also considered as major part of this report
which will help in understanding the major concepts of this essay. In addition, focus will also be
given on use of distinct styles of language used by women. Research will find out that weather
there is any difference in the way by which women and men make interactions with others.
Therefore, the whole essay will focus on women’s language (De Fina and King, 2011).
Features of women’s language
Robin lakoff has identified ten elements of women’s language which are frequently used
by women during their conversations (Women's Language, 2015). All these features shows the
language attitude of women these features are described as under:
1. Hedging: Women use this feature at the timer of conversation which shows the
uncertainty and lack of authority. For example, sort of, kind of and I guess, etc (Cook,
2011).
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2. Politeness: Women generally use super polite words and forms such as would you please
and I would really appreciate it if, etc.
3. Tag questions: In women’s language, tag questions added to the end of the statement and
do not change the statement (Kunsmann, 2013). For example, you would do that,
wouldn’t you?
4. Emotional emphasis: Women use emotional content and tone that emphasizes on
emotions. For example, you are so very kind and I am so grateful to you (Linn, 2014).
5. Empty adjectives: Adding a friendly element in the sentence shows the use of empty
adjectives in conversation. Although women do not use any meaningful content at the
time of conversation.
6. Correct grammar and pronunciation: Women expect hypercorrect grammar and
pronunciation at the time of discussion and conversation. They use sales less as compare
to men (Erickson, Lind, Johnson and O'Barr, 1978). For example, I would be very
appreciate if you could show me the way of my destination.
7. Lack of humor: women do not use humor and funny words at the time of discussion. So
lack of humor is also one of the major feature of women’s language. So, women are poor
in telling jokes.
8. Direct quotations: Women generally quoted word which have said by others for example,
Rita said that he said, “I won’t to do it. ‘So I said, Why Not?” (Larson, Johnson and
Haselton, 2012).
9. Extended vocabulary: Generally, women use extended vocabulary rather than simple
language. For example, the wall should be cerise neon pink tracer. So, use of extra
vocabulary is also considered as major feature of women’s language.
10. Declarations with interrogative intonation: Generally statement are used by women for
asking questions by intonating question mark at the end of the statement (Berger, 2013).
For example, that sounds like a good thing to do?
Overall, different features of women’s language has reflected that generally women use
different words for different purpose as compare to the men which make different meaning for
others. These meanings are difficult to understand by others. They use some words which shows
disagreement and lack of authenticity. Along with this, they use different words with extra
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politeness and emotions (Baxter, 2012). Women focuses on correct grammar and pronunciation
and extended vocabulary.
Sociolinguistics history
Sociolinguistics can be defined as a descriptive study which shows the effects of different
aspects of society such as cultural norms, expectations and context on the way of language used.
Along with this, it also helps in determining the effects of language used on society (Guillaume,
2014). It also focuses on the use of different language between distinct groups because of various
ethnicity, religion, status and gender and income, etc. Some research studies also focuses on the
gender in sociolinguistics in which study shows the use of language by different gender. Effects
arise on use of language because of the belongingness of the person with different class, social
language, restricted codes, culture and beliefs, etc (O'barr, 2014).
History of Sociolinguistics has disclosed that “social determinants has strong association
with different language which increases variations for linguistic theory”. In contrast, some of
research study has also disclosed some factors about the international; sociolinguistics. Along
with this, background research studies have concluded that language is one of the major tool of
communication which can be influenced by the place, speaking, people, condition and situation
(Elmes, 2013). Place is very important factor because generally it shows the style of language
which have used by different people. Including this, sociolinguistics has reflected that gender
and sexual identity also affect the use of language because of the culture and society. Overall,
sociolinguistics shows the effects of different elements on use of language by different gender
men and women (Gay, Hicks, Santacreu-Vasut and Shoham, 2015).
Different ways by which language is used
Language works as vehicle for the transmission of cultural knowledge and gain access to
the contents of others' minds. It provides opportunity to human being to express their attitude
change, social perception, personal identity, attribution, and so on. In most of the cases, language
involves exchanges of representations of personal feeling in front of others. On the basis of
speech practices associated with gender, specific gender roles that are prescribed by society and
language used by women can be explored. Communicative behavior of men and women differ in
terms of effective use of paralinguistic features such as ‘mhm’ and ‘yeah’. Women generally use
them most frequently as compared to men. In order to display active listening and interest,
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women are mostly used streams of talk", such as "mm" or "yeah". Sometimes, these meanings
are difficult to understand by other. In the context of using questions in conversations, men and
women perception are also differed. In addition, it is identified that women use questions more
frequently as compared to men. Besides that, female linguistic behaviour characteristically
indicates the interest of women to take turns in conversation with others (Krauss and Chiu,
2011). Despite of that, differences between the speech of women and men can be identified in
terms of particles that grammarians often described. It can be understood with help of example.
Lakoff (1973) taken an example to differentiate between language used by men and women.
Researcher used to sentences including (a) “Oh dear, you've put the peanut butter in the
refrigerator again” and (b) Shit, you've put the peanut butter in the refrigerator again to
understand difference between sentences and language used by gender. On the basis of above
example, it can be predicted that (a) sentence is women's language and another one is men
language. It is found that men's language is increasingly being used by women. But on the other
hand, due to American masculine image (e.g. homosexuals), women's language is not being
adopted by men.
On the other side, on the basis of 'stronger' and 'weaker' expletives, language used by men
and women can be differentiated. For example, 'shit', 'oh dear', or 'goodness' words are saying
with feeling. These words represent strength of an emotion conveyed in a sentence. While some
words and sentences used by women such as 'trivializing’ and Oh fudge, my hair is on fire are
meaningless and highly inappropriate. It is found that trait, society's expectations, merely
mirroring and nonlinguistic differences are responsible for creating language difference. In
addition, Women generally quoted word which have said by others for example, Rita said that he
said, “I won’t to do it. ‘So I said, Why Not?,” It create negative impact on listener and persons
by whom women is interacting. The above example shows reinforces men's position of strength
in the real world in term of expressing opinion and share their thoughts in a meaning sense. In
addition, linguistic reasons and an examination of language are the other major factors which are
responsible for women denied equality partially. From the critical comparison between sentence
and language used by women and men, it is clear that woman may freely use the neutral words
without any risk (Talbot, 2010). For example, feminine an advertising executive use express her
idea with other by using different expression such as raised eyebrow and giving reaction using
"mm" or "yeah sentences.
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Linguistic attitude
Linguistic can be defined as a scientific study of language and it has three different
aspects which are language form, language meaning and language in context. Linguistic attitude
can also be defined as feelings of people about their own language and variety of other languages
of other people. There are some basic assumptions about the language attitude which have
disclosed by historical research studies (Language Attitudes, 2015). These are described as
under:
 Women talk too much.
 Children cannot speak or write properly any more.
 Black children are verbally deprived.
All these assumptions help in understanding behavior of individuals. Analysis of the
language attitude helps in determining the emotions of women. Attitude of linguistic can be
affected by the different factors of society such as culture, thought and beliefs, etc. Along with
this, attitude shows that traits of speaker or women such as height, looks, intelligent,
dependability, leadership, sociability and character, etc (The Domain of Linguistics: An
Overview, 2015). Attitude of women can be determined by analyzing their grammar, vocabulary
and sentence framing ways. Including this, different ways of using language also help in
determining the attitude of women at the time of conversation.
Association between languages, culture and thoughts
Language is one of the important elements of culture which help in understanding the
human life (Erickson, Lind, Johnson and O'Barr, 1978). Women use this element in different
manner which is very difficult to understand by men. Different research studies have concluded
that language and culture are interrelated. Verbal expressions of individuals help in analyzing the
culture of them. Along with this, language plays important role in conveying culture, norms,
values and beliefs among others. Some articles has denoted that culture hiding languages.
Women uses language as a primary weapon of communication. It helps in reflecting their
personality and culture (The Relationship between Language and Culture, 2010). But sometimes
due to the powerful and powerless language of women it is very difficult to get relationship
between culture, thought and language of women.
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Issue of the women’s language
As per the research study of Robin, women’s language is associated with the different
issues such as uncertainty, politeness, lack of confidence and tentativeness, etc. As per the result
of Gender and interaction theory, it is clear that interest, wants, needs and goods are the major
causes affect language used by women to communicate with men. In addition, female pattern of
speech, less standard use of forms of English, responsibility to initiate conversations and vast
majority of questions asked by women are the major issues associated with the language by
women during interaction. Despite of that, Cross linguistic examination explored that grammar,
use of vocabulary, convey negative attitudes and personal use of pronouns are the other major
weakness which are responsible for creating language issue for women in society (Lakoff, 2009).
In addition, linguistic reasons, emotions, use of adjectives such as adorable, charming, divine and
so on are the other problems associated with language used by women in their interaction.
Despite of that, women movement made sexism in language occurs as political issue and reflects
their point of view. It may be occurred due to several reasons such as asymmetric between pairs
of genders differentiated term, generic sense, negative connotations and change the meaning of
original word are the other major issues which are attached with the language used by women
during personal communication and interaction with each other (Eckert and McConnell-Ginet,
2013). All these issues are described as under:
 Uncertainty: This is the major issue of the women’s language which occur due to the
different ways and styles of language use. Sometimes, women uses different hedge which
shows uncertainty and lack of authority (Feminist Philosophy of Language, 2010). These
words are used by women in case of uncertain knowledge on some basic subject.
Sometimes, it shows error in making communication with others. Therefore, uncertainty
is one of the major issues of the women’s language. For example, women use this
sentence “Well, I sort of looked at him, and then he kind of looked back. Then I guess I
kept looking”. This sentence shows the uncertain knowledge of women as well as it also
shows disagreement with non-absolute language (Larson, Johnson and Haselton, 2012).
 Politeness: As per the above analysis of the women’s language, female personality use
huge polite words at the time of making discussion and conversation with other people.
For example, do excuse me, but I really appreciate it if you could take a little time to help
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me. This statement shows the extra politeness of women. Sometimes it creates problem
for other persons at the time of communication (De Fina and King, 2011).
 Lack of confidence: women’s language is less forcefully as compare to men because men
use bad language which creates force on other persons. So, less forcefulness of language
shows the lack of confidence among women. Along with this, women asks lots of
questions which also shows the low level of confidence. In contrast, men interrupt more
to women at the time of conversation which increases the use of unnecessary words and
hedge and tag questions which also reduce the confidence among women. In addition,
women’s language include lots of instance and examples which also affect confidence of
women (Kunsmann, 2013). Therefore, different ways of language used shows the lack of
confidence among women.
 Tentativeness: Women’s are more tentative as compare to men at the time of using
different words in conversation. It occurrence sue to the use of words more frequently as
compare to men. Including this, women uses extra polite and friendly words at the time
of conversation which shows that lack of confidence or high nervousness of threating
others by words. So, they use such kind of words which helps in maintaining effective
communication with people (Ervin-Tripp, 2014). Therefore, tentativeness is also one of
the major problem in women language.
 Interrupting behavior: It has be concluded by men interrupt others more than women.
Analysis of the women’s language has reflected that women get interrupted more than
men. Therefore, it can be concluded that women’s language is less interruptive as
compare to men but she get more interruption at the time of conversations (Women's
Language, 2015).
 Conversational feedback: Women do not provide appropriate feedback to their partner at
the time of conversation as compare to men. Therefore, women’s language do not show
effective conversational feedback to other women.
Major factors responsible for creating difference in the way by which women and men make
interactions with others
There are difference factors which include gender cultures, socio-cultural phenomenon
and communication styles are the major factors which create differences in the way by which
women and men interact with each other. Besides that, gender base differences such as women
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are more emotional and intuitive as compared to men and highly intensive language” to persuade
others etc. also influence personal interaction of gender in their daily life. Gender-based factor is
responsible for creating interaction issue during personal interaction with attorneys and business
people (Craver, 2003). In addition, difference between men and women during personal
interaction can be highlighted on the basis of competitive situations, comfortable, self-
confidence and intrinsic factors such as diligent work and intelligence etc. On the based on
research studies of the brain done up to now, it can say that on the basis of various factors which
include brain size (women brain is 8% smaller than men’s), multi-tasking, social thinking &
interactions (women are better), emotions and math skills (Inferior-Parietal Lobule (IPL)” which
is larger in men), difference in the way by which women and men interact with each other can be
differentiated (Stone, 2009). Along with these factors, language (women are are more attuned to
words and sounds), memory (Women generally have better memory than men), sense of
direction and risk& rewards (Men has a brain wired for risk-taking) are the other causes
responsible for creating difference in interaction between men and women candidates.
CONCLUSION
The current research report has concluded that women use language in different style as
compare to men which shows that lack of confidence and tentativeness among women. The
current research report has also described different features of the women’s language such as
hedge, tag questions, Politeness, Emotional emphasis, Empty adjectives, Correct grammar and
pronunciation, Lack of humor, Direct quotations, Extended vocabulary and Declarations with
interrogative intonation. All these features increases different issues such as Uncertainty,
Politeness, Lack of confidence, Tentativeness, Interrupting behavior and Conversational
feedback.
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REFERENCES
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