Deficit Model

• What does the Deficit Model refer to in the context of language and gender?

  It refers to the idea that the way women use language contributes to their weaker position in society.
• How does the Deficit Model suggest women's language affects their societal position?

  It suggests that women's lesser language literally makes them weaker than men.
• Who is a prominent figure associated with the Deficit Model?

  Robin Lakoff
• What are some characteristics of women's language according to Robin Lakoff?

  1. Use more hedging
  2. Overuse qualifiers (e.g., "I think that...")
  3. Use (super) polite forms (e.g., "Would you mind...")
  4. Use tag questions more
  5. Speak in italics (intonational emphasis)
  6. Use empty adjectives (e.g., divine, lovely)
  7. Use hypercorrect grammar and pronunciation
  8. Use direct quotation
  9. Have a special lexicon (more words for colors)

  10. Use more uptalk

  11. Use more "wh-" imperatives

  12. Speak less frequently

  13. Apologise more

  14. Use modal verbs more

  15. Avoid coarse language or expletives

  16. Use indirect commands and requests

  17. Use more intensifiers (especially so and very)

  18. Lack a sense of humour
• What is the main critique of Lakoff's list of women's language traits according to O'Barr and Atkins?

  They considered it reductive.
• What did O'Barr and Atkins study to evaluate women's language?

  They conducted a 30-month study of courtroom footage.
• What was the hypothesis of O'Barr and Atkins regarding women's language?

  They believed women's language is a language of powerlessness, applicable to both genders.
• What conclusion did O'Barr and Atkins reach about the speech patterns reported by Lakoff?

  They found that these patterns were neither characteristic of all women nor limited only to women.
• What did O'Barr and Atkins find about women who used the lowest frequency of Lakoff's traits?

  They were well-educated professionals from middle-class backgrounds.
• How did O'Barr and Atkins relate speech patterns to societal power?

  They suggested that speech patterns were more related to perceived power in society than to gender.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Deficit Model?

  Strengths:

  • Highlights the relationship between language and power dynamics.
  • Encourages examination of gendered language use.

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Overgeneralizes women's language traits.
  • Ignores the influence of social status on language.
  • Lacks empirical support for some claims.