week 1

Question 1

gender

Answer 1

• fluid, under redefinition, and constantly being done
• something we do, rather than a fixed trait
• a social/cultural (and linguistic) construction
• an ideological system

Question 2

sex (anthropological definition)

Answer 2

• a set of biological categories (used as a basis for gender categories)
• chromosomes, hormones, and primary and secondary sexual characteristics

Question 3

gender identity vs gender expression

Answer 3

• gender identity: personal, based on perception, ideologies of language based on experience
• gender expression: style (drag), language (pronouns), is very fluid

Question 4

indexicality

Answer 4

• “significations that point to certain types of meaning within the context in which they are used”

Question 5

how does indexicality relate to language variation?

Answer 5

• because indices are dynamic, and can change depending on context
• ie. pronouns like “me vs you”

Question 6

why is gender something we do

Answer 6

• because it is witnessed, reproduced and internalized
• maintained and legitimized through repetition
• ie. like when “pink” and “blue” are gendered

Question 7

how gender and sexuality are specific to culture, place and time

Answer 7

• femminiello in italy
• might be classified as “trans” under the macro-category in english language
• but there is a separate word for being trans in italian
• indigenous two-spirit identities