Theories Flashcards
What is the deficit theory ?
shows how female language is seen as deficient when compared to the ‘ male norm’, largely due to an inequality of power. Layoff claims that women’s language shows weak traits
weak traits of female language
hedges e.g. sort of, kind of, seems like
super polite forms
tag questions
questioning intonation in declarative statements
overuse qualifiers
modal constructions
more intensifiers
Why do women use less assertive and forceful language
as women were not self assured in their opinions
What theorist challenge the deficit approach
Janet Holmes
What did Janet Holmes say
sates that language is multifunctional and not just simply gender based
What did O’ Barr and Atkins discover ?
they discovered that lower class men used linguistic features similar ton those that she spotted in female speech. Study evidenced a ‘ powerless’ language constructed by social status
What do dominance theorists claim
men use language as a form of domination or control
What did Zimmerman and West look at
gender differences in interruptions
What did Zimmerman and West find out about ?
in mixed sex conversations men are more likely to interrupt and be dominant in many other ways than women. Upon research, they claimed that men were responsible for 96% of interruptions.
Fishman’s response to Lakoff’s belief that questions shows women’s insecurities and hesitancy in communication ?
Fishman sees questions as an attribute of interactions: women ask questions because of the power of these
what is ‘ shitwork’
the support work in conversations
what is the difference theory
men and women are simply different, not necessarily seeking dominance or showing a deficit
Deborah Tannen proposed pairs of approaches to language that are specific to males/females.
status vs support
independence vs intimacy
advice vs understanding
information vs feelings
orders vs proposals
conflict vs compromise
What are O’ Barr and Atkins known for ?
developing the idea that language differences are situation specific, relying on who has the authority and power in a conversation.
What is Coates in support of
the difference model
Coates mentions two other theorists Daniel Maltz and Ruther what do they say about purposes of speaking ?
Girls learn to do the following: create and maintain relationships of equality, criticise others in acceptable ways and interpret accurately the speech of other girls whereas boys try to assert a position of dominance, attract and maintain an audience and assert themselves when another speaker has the floor.
examples of gendered terms
simple words like ‘lord’ and ‘lady’ which imply a difference in status between genders.
Gendered terms include any lexeme with the suffix ess such as princess which implies you are lesser than a man
semantic derogation
What is the deficit approach
women’s language is inferior and male language is ‘ norm’
