difference model Flashcards
evaluate the idea that men and womens language is characterised by miscommunication between the sexes
Deborah Tannenâs difference theory
DT-professor of sociolinguistics
-difference theory deals with cross gender communication
-difference theory as postulated by Tannen is generally summarised into six categories, each of which pairs contrasting uses of language by males and females
DT-leading supporter of the difference model ( her research derives from ethnicity studies)
- author of the book â you just donât understandâ; shows us how women and men talk in different ways, for profoundly different reasons
John Gumperz (80âs)
-has roots in difference theory
- he examined differences in cross cultural communications so whilst difference theory focuses on cross gender communications, the male and female genders are often presented as being two separate cultures, hence his relevance
- coined the term âcross talkâ
-CASE STUDY-
Heathrow airport- Asian v western- Asian people have a falling intonation so questions sound like statements instead :âgravyâ
western people have a rising intonation so everything comes off as a question, in this case the westerners would think that the Asians are not offering they are telling
Two of DCâs categoriesâ
STATUS V. SUPPORT
Tannen stated;
for men, world= competitive place, conversation and speech are used to build status
for women, world= network of connections, language used to seek and offer support
Furthermore men are also more likely to interrupt to get their point across and hence gain status
ORDERS V. PROPOSALS
Tannen stated;
for men, they will use direct imperatives ( âclose the doorâ, âswitch on the lightâ when speaking to others
for women, they will use super polite forms (âletâs..â, âdo you mind if..?â)
John Gray
- supports DT/ difference model
- author of âMen are from Mars, Women are from Venusâ
- states that modern men and women are under the illusion that they speak the same language
-states that whilst they may use the same words, they tend to follow different meanings - âyeahâ or âuh huhâ for women means âyes, Iâm listeningâ, but for men means âyes, I agree with youâ
Deborah Cameron
- author and researcher
-challenges difference theory - criticised DT for the term âcross talkâ linked with ethnic miscommunications, on such notations that âmen and women from one community is not a parallel caseâ (to say white people conversing with mostly foreign born immigrants)
Helen Reid Thomas (90âs)
- criticised DT
- she carried out the tests that would provide evidence for DTâs failing argument and proved/ concluded that there was no difference in the interpretation of each gender: instead it is the context which tells people how to interpret minimal responses such as âyeahâ or âuh huhâ
Kitzinger and Frith (late 90âs)
-challenges difference theory
- noted that âordinaryâ non sexual refusals are also performed using conventional strategies e.g. hedging, and are often organised by both sexes, undermining claim that men do not understand indirect refusals
Susan Ehrlich (2000âs)
-challenges
- ârepresenting rapeâ (2002), and âthe discursive reconstruction of sexual consentâ (2006).
-two women students made complaints against the same male student with accusations of sexual assault.
- One of the tribunal members, GK, interpreted the incident as a case of miscommunication
-DC stated âyou donât have to be a rocket scientist to work out that someone who feigns unconsciousness in bed with you probably doesnât want to have sexâ
- she also stated how the assumption that avoiding miscommunication in language is a female problem reflects the traditional tendency of rape trials-to blame the victim; her clothing, her reputation etc