Language and Gender

Question 1

Reflectionism

Answer 1

According to this view, language simply reflects our thoughts. E.g. Sexist terms only exist because people have sexist attitudes.

Question 2

Determinism

Answer 2

Based on a relativist view that individual languages differ greatly in lexis and grammar, so speakers of different languages will experience and understand the world in different ways. According to this view, language actually controls thought.

Question 3

Interdependent

Answer 3

Most linguists now believe that language and thoughts are interdependent. Sexist language exists because of sexist attitudes. But, growing up in a society where such terms are current may encourage people to accept/adopt those attitudes

Question 4

Mulvey (1995)

Answer 4

‘The Male Gaze’ claims that women are turned into sex objects through how they are shot in the media. Showing ‘body parts’ and not the whole body turns them into ‘objects’ of male pleasure

Question 5

Earp and Katz (1999)

Answer 5

Studied male representation in the media and found ‘a widespread and disturbing equation of masculinity and pathological control and violence.’

Question 6

Otto Jesperson (1929)

Answer 6

Deficit Theory: Language of men is the ‘norm’ and all other genders are ‘deficit’. Women are easily offended, use weak language, have limited vocabularies, use more veiled expressions and avoid coarse language

Question 7

Robin Lakoff (1975)

Answer 7

Women’s language includes:
Emphatic Stress - exaggerated pitch/volume on certain words
Hedges - make utterances more tentative
Hypercorrect Grammar - stick to Standard English
Precise Colour Terms - ‘scarlet’ ‘burgandy’
Superpolite Forms - euphemism and lack of taboo
Tag Questions - turn an utterance into an interrogative
Intensifiers - ‘So happy’ ‘Really mad’ to add strength of meaning
Lack humour, speak less frequently, apologise more

Question 8

O’Barr and Atkins (1980)

Answer 8

Challenged Robin Lakoff’s view of women’s language.
Looked at courtroom cases and witnesses’ speech.
Research shows that language differences are based on situation-specific authority or power, not gender. (Of course, there may be situations where for other reasons, women are the same as those who lack power.)
This is a far more limited claim than that made by Dale Spender. (Dominance Theory.)