lakoff's deficit model

Question 1

What idea did Lakoff theorise in her book?

Answer 1

In her book ‘Language and a Woman’s Place’ she theorised the idea of ‘woman’s language’ by which she identified several differences in the language used by women compared to men, these ideas have later been referred to as the Deficit Model.

Question 2

What features did Lakoff identify to be more commonly used by women? (examples)

Answer 2

Some of the features that Lakoff identified to be more commonly used by women were:
- tag questions, for example ‘it’s hot out today, isn’t it?’
- politeness terms such as indirect requests like ‘my, isn’t it cold in here?’ at an attempt to maintain a subordinate position in society.
- using empty adjectives like ‘cute’, ‘divine’, ‘lovely’.

Question 3

whilst lakoff may think these features make women appear weaker, what does idea jennifer coates challenge?

Answer 3

Jennifer Coates challenged the idea that features like hedging and tag questions are a sign of weakness and instead or a sign of cooperation to facilitate conversational management, and she also suggested that all-female talk is based on negotiation. ​

Question 4

What is Jennifer Coates’ view on tag questions?

Answer 4

For example, a tag question like ‘it’s a lovely day, isn’t it?’ can invite agreement or confirmation from the other person keeping the conversation running smoothly, and not as a sign of weakness. ​