Language and Gender

Question 1

What is the ‘deficit model’ in language and gender studies?

Answer 1

A theory suggesting that women’s language is weaker or less authoritative than men’s, as proposed by Robin Lakoff in Language and Woman’s Place (1975).

Question 2

List three features of ‘women’s language’ according to Robin Lakoff.

Answer 2

Hedges, tag questions, and empty adjectives.

Question 3

What is Deborah Tannen’s main focus in her Difference Model?

Answer 3

That men and women use language differently due to socialization, leading to contrasting conversational styles (e.g., ‘status vs. support’).

Question 4

What is meant by the term ‘hedging’ in the context of gendered language use?

Answer 4

Using phrases like ‘sort of’ or ‘maybe’ to soften the force of an assertion, often associated with women’s speech.

Question 5

What is the Dominance Model in language and gender?

Answer 5

A theory that men’s language reflects their societal dominance, often leading to conversational control over women.

Question 6

What did Zimmerman and West (1975) conclude about interruptions in mixed-gender conversations?

Answer 6

Men interrupt more frequently than women, showing conversational dominance.

Question 7

What is ‘Cooperative Overlap’ in Deborah Tannen’s Difference Model?

Answer 7

When a speaker overlaps with another not to interrupt but to show support and enthusiasm.

Question 8

What is the ‘folklinguistic assumption’ about women and verbosity?

Answer 8

The mistaken belief that women talk more than men, contradicted by studies like Spender (1980).

Question 9

What is ‘genderlect’?

Answer 9

A term coined by Deborah Tannen to describe the different linguistic styles associated with men and women.

Question 10

Explain Janet Holmes’ findings on tag questions.

Answer 10

Tag questions can have multiple functions, such as expressing uncertainty or facilitating conversation, challenging Lakoff’s view that they show weakness.

Question 11

What is the difference between ‘positive politeness’ and ‘negative politeness’?

Answer 11

Positive politeness seeks to build social connections, often attributed to women, while negative politeness avoids imposing, more common in men’s speech.

Question 12

What is the significance of Deborah Cameron’s The Myth of Mars and Venus (2007)?

Answer 12

It critiques oversimplified ideas about innate language differences between genders and emphasizes the role of social context.

Question 13

What does O’Barr and Atkins’ study of courtroom language suggest about ‘women’s language’?

Answer 13

Features of ‘women’s language’ are linked to powerlessness, not gender, challenging Lakoff’s deficit model.

Question 14

Define ‘gender performativity’ as proposed by Judith Butler.

Answer 14

The idea that gender is constructed through repeated linguistic and social actions, rather than being innate.

Question 15

What are ‘marked terms’ in language? Provide an example.

Answer 15

Words that indicate gender, such as ‘actress’ (female-marked) compared to the unmarked ‘actor.’

Question 16

What is ‘conversational shitwork,’ and who coined the term?

Answer 16

Pamela Fishman’s term for the effort women put into maintaining conversations, often by asking questions and encouraging responses.

Question 17

Explain the concept of ‘semantic derogation.’

Answer 17

The process by which words associated with women gain negative connotations over time, e.g., ‘master’ vs. ‘mistress.’

Question 18

What did Jennifer Coates suggest about ‘women’s talk’?

Answer 18

That it often involves collaborative and cooperative speech patterns, such as supportive overlapping.

Question 19

How does Eckert’s concept of ‘communities of practice’ relate to gender and language?

Answer 19

It emphasizes that gendered language varies across social groups and is shaped by shared activities and norms.

Question 20

What is the ‘report vs. rapport’ distinction in Tannen’s Difference Model?

Answer 20

Men use ‘report talk’ to exchange information, while women use ‘rapport talk’ to build relationships.