Exam Nov 24

• Sex is the biological differences
• Gender is differences in behaviour and roles as a result of social expectations
• The deficit model

  Women use language in a way that contributes to their weaker position in society (lesser language literally makes them weaker)
• Dominance model

  In mixed gender interaction the male participant would be dominant - men use conversational tools to maintain dominance
• Difference model

  Neither dominate but difference can cause miscommunication
• Diversity model

  No biological difference only one constructed by society
• Marked terms e.g doctor and female doctor. - male version is the default
• Maltz and Borker 1982


  How children interact in playgrounds (boys have winners / losers and hierarchy/ boast) ( girls small groups or pairs with intimacy and Bffs, make suggestions not orders and focus on being likeable - no challenge)
• Lakoffs colour test

  Non basic colour terms - e.g mauve into women's language
• Tannens contrasts

  Independence vs intimacy

  Advice vs understanding

  Information vs feelings

  Orders vs proposals

  Conflict vs compromise
• What is the primary focus of women's connections in relationships?

  Closeness and support
• How do women typically view intimacy in relationships?

  They value it but may struggle to preserve it due to trust issues
• What do men prioritize in their relationships?

  Status and independence
• How do men's and women's views on relationships differ?

  Men and women have fundamentally different perspectives on intimacy and independence
• Why do men dislike asking "is this okay?" in relationships?

  It makes them feel like a child
• What do women prefer in terms of relationship dynamics?

  They enjoy intertwined lives and intimacy
• What are the key differences in communication styles between men and women?

  • Women verbalize feelings more openly.
  • Men tend to keep inner thoughts private.
  • Women often use indirect language to express desires.
  • Men may respond to direct requests more straightforwardly.
• How do women typically handle conflict in relationships?

  They tend to compromise to find a solution
• How do men typically handle conflict in relationships?

  They may argue to resolve conflict
• What is the difference in approach to conflict resolution between men and women?

  Women compromise while men may argue
• What are the implications of differing communication styles in relationships?

  • Misunderstandings may arise.
  • Emotional needs may go unmet.
  • Conflict resolution can be challenging.
  • Relationship dynamics can be affected.
• What was the focus of the study conducted by D'Barr and Atkins in 1980?

  The study focused on courtroom language.
• How many hours of courtroom language were analyzed in the D'Barr and Atkins study?

  150 hours of courtroom language were analyzed.
• What was a common characteristic of the lawyers in the D'Barr and Atkins study?

  All lawyers were male.
• Why can no generalization be made to society from the study's findings?

  Because the study only involved convictions.
• What are the implications of the findings regarding women's language in the courtroom?

  • Women's language is perceived as powerless.
  • Context plays a significant role in language power.
  • Men generally held powerful positions in the courtroom.
• What did the study find about the perception of power in the courtroom?

  The courtroom was perceived by lawyers as neither biased nor misused only towards women.
• What was suggested about women's language use in relation to power?

  Women used more high power language in lower registers.
• What does the study suggest about the relationship between social power and language?

  Language becomes associated with social power.
• What might a powerful position derive from according to the findings?

  A powerful position may derive from social status in the larger society.
• What are the key findings of the D'Barr and Atkins study regarding courtroom language?

  • Lawyers were predominantly male.
  • Women's language was perceived as powerless.
  • Context influences the perception of language power.
  • Power in language is linked to social status.
• Otto Jesperson 1922 – Gendered language He wrote that the vocabulary of a woman is much less extensive than that of a man and that ‘the highest linguistic genius and the lowest degree of linguistic imbecility are rarely found among women. He also said that women instinctively shrink (make themselves seem lesser) and have gross expressions. Supports deficit model, the idea that women use language that makes them seem weaker or lesser than men.
• Dale Spender 1980 – Intensifiers/Sexism Spender argues that in patriarchal societies men control language and that it works in their favor. She illustrates how linguistic determinism interconnects with economic determinism to oppress women in society. She found intensifiers and qualifiers are used for uncertainty in women and authority in men Links to the dominance model – men's language holds them above women in society.
• Jennifer Coates 1996 – Women's language Women use backstage talk - they maintain niceties to keep conversation flow not because they're deficient. She stated that conversation between women is more horizontal and malleable where everyone is an equal player however, but men view conversation as an arena for establishing hierarchy and achievement
• Who conducted the study on gendered language in 1984?

  Pamela Fishman
• What is the main focus of Pamela Fishman's 1984 study?

  The study focuses on gendered language and conversational dynamics between men and women
• What does the term "shitwork" refer to in Fishman's study?

  Shitwork refers to the effort women must exert to facilitate conversation with men
• How many hours of conversations did Fishman analyze in her study?

  52 hours
• According to Fishman, why do women have to work harder in conversations with men?

  Because men do not engage as much due to their dominance
• What role does positive feedback play in women's conversations with men, according to Fishman?

  Women use positive feedback to encourage men to engage in conversation