Language and Gender Flashcards
Whats a Larynx?
The part of speech that determines pitch
Whats biologically different between men and women in pitch?
Men have larger larynx = lower pitch
Women have smaller larynx = higher pitch
What are linguistic advantages for women?
Less likely to stutter
Less likely to acquire aphasias (speech disorders)
Less likely to have reading disabilities
Difference between the way women and men use variants in society:
- Women prefer more socially favoured variants
- Men often use socially disfavoured variants.
(remember Trudgill with the [-n] verb ending.
Why do women use social standard forms more than men?
- The position of women in UK and American societies makes it more necessary for them to secure social status linguistically.
- Women are usually rated socially on how they appear, so speech is more important for them.
Politeness mechanisms:
- Minimal responses (mhmm)
- Turn-taking
- Interruptions
- Hedging
Sexuality and gender linked:
Language is used amongst different groups of sexualities:
- To indicate membership
- To create differences from other groups
- To show an identity often hard fought for
Examples of change from above?
The adoption of the post-vocalic /r/ in NYC, dropping it was the norm until the change was made from above.
Examples of change from below?
Vowel fronting in speakers in Philadelphia.
What is the European Feudal System:
- Where land owners gained social prestige
Minimal responses:
Very brief, supportive comments from the receiver of an interaction.
Gender stratification:
Where there is a patriarchy in society in which women and men are unequal in regards to social wealth, power and privilege.
What does it mean for men to “lead the way” ?
Historically, women have conformed to the language changes that are made by men.
Labov’s principles on Gender
- Principle l: in sociolinguistic stratification, men use more nonstandard forms than women.
- Princple la: In change from above, women favour the incoming prestige.
Principle ll: In change from below, women are most often innovators.
Zimmerman and West of minimal responses:
For men, minimal responses are an act of agreement, rather than active participation.