Gender

Question 1

Jespersen’s book title

Answer 1

Language: Its Nature, Development and Origin 1922

Question 2

Jespersen’s examples of women’s language (3)

Answer 2

• don’t use expletives
• have a smaller vocabulary
• are more emotional

Question 3

Jespersen’s theory conclusion

Answer 3

male dominance in language reflects the patriarchal society of 1922

Question 4

Deficit Model conclusion

Answer 4

Lakoff 1975

male language is considered the ‘norm’ and female language is ‘deficient’

Question 5

Deficit Model language features of women (7)

Answer 5

• detailed vocab for colour
• hedging
• tag questions (used when uncertain)
• apologetic
• avoid expletives
• indirect requests
• hyper-correct grammar

Question 6

Dominance Model

Answer 6

Fishman 1981
analysed couples conversations 
women used 4x more tag questions
used to gain conversational power 
start and sustain conversation
'conversational shitwork' = male dominance

Question 7

Jenny Cheshire

Answer 7

1982
grammatical variations in speech amongst children

boys used NS form more than girls- variation governed by norms of vernacular culture

Question 8

Vernacular

Answer 8

lang spoken by ordinary people in a particular region

Question 9

Difference Theory

Answer 9

Tannen 1990

no dominance of either gender but there are still differences

Question 10

Difference Theory contrasts

Answer 10

Status VS Support
Independence VS Intimacy
Advice VS Understanding
Information VS Feeling 
Orders VS Proposals
Conflict VS Compromise

Question 11

Zimmerman and West

Answer 11

1975 conversations between genders
men- 46 interruptions
women- 2 interruptions
women are more likely to fall silent due to uncertainty of male interest (male dominance)

Question 12

Spender

Answer 12

language is an embodying structure that sustains male power

view of male = norm

difficult to challenge dominance due to reinforcement in society and the way we think

Question 13

Coates

Answer 13

1989
boys and girls grow up in same-sex friendships

develops different style of speech

tag questions- cooperative and supportive

Question 14

Cameron

Answer 14

verbal hygiene is used by women

Question 15

Verbal Hygiene

Answer 15

being politically correct with language

Question 16

O’Barr and Atkins

Answer 16

language in the courtroom 1980
situational factors rather than gender
female lawyers were assertive and aggressive
male witnesses also shared ‘female language’
should be called ‘powerless language’

Question 17

Beattie

Answer 17

1982

men interrupt more than women by an insignificant amount- this is due to other factors e.g. status

Question 18

Pikington

Answer 18

1992
women talk collaboratively and use positive politeness
support and build on each others points
women talk to affirm solidarity and maintain social relationships

Question 19

womxn

Answer 19

used on twitter by Wellcome collection- received huge backlash and mocking criticism

Question 20

what is the purpose of womxn

Answer 20

avoids relying on ‘men’ to emphasise the inequality of genders
women are not an extension of men (as suggested in the bible)

Question 21

pro vs con Womxn

Answer 21

• moves away from patriarchal society and shows freedom and independency
• forces women to change- viewed as ‘other’ and defeats purpose of being equal

Question 22

ms

Answer 22

used in early 20th century to avoid embarrassment of wrongly assuming marital status
taken up by feminists in 1960s
connotes dovorcess or lesbians/ aggressive ‘non of your business’