Gender Representations

Question 1

Dale spender Male as the norm

Answer 1

Language is patriarchal and it’s difficult to challenge patriarchal structures

Question 2

The generic male

Answer 2

Man is used for generic terms (eg mankind). Assumption in the language is that male is the significant gender. Him is seen as correct gender to use when in doubt.

Question 3

Job titles and forms of address

Answer 3

Fireman policeman carry implication that only men perform these roles. Marked forms such as lady doctor proper that women doing these jobs are not taken seriously and that gender is relevant to the way a job is performed.

Question 4

Sara mills semantic derogation

Answer 4

Several pairs of words where female version is “inferior”:
Mistress/master
Tomboy/sissy
Lady/Lord
Queen/King
Husband/wife

Question 5

Marriage titles

Answer 5

Women typically take men’s last names however this is dying out. Women obliged to sign Ila her martial status as mrs or miss whereas men is just mr. Infer that women’s martial status defines her.

Question 6

Letters

Answer 6

Many formal letters begin with Dear Sir

Question 7

Collocations

Answer 7

The male form (his and hers) tends to come first

Question 8

Metaphors

Answer 8

Metaphors are more patronising for women (eg slut bitch which do not have male equivalents) ( or endearments babe love honey). Ascribing women to inanimate objects implies the female is owner and controlled