DEFICIT THEORY

• What is the deficit model?

  Theory that the male way of speaking is the norm and the female departs from the norm. Assumes that women use powerless language, girls are socialised into using a special deferential style of speech called ‘women’s language’ to give way to men
• what are the trends of female spoken language?

  hedges

  super polite forms

  tag questions

  italics

  empty adjectives

  hypercorrect grammar and punctuation

  lacking humor

  special lexicons

  question intonation in declarative statements
• what are the trends of male spoken language?

  more direct style

  interrupt more to hijack conversation or dominate

  swear more

  simplified vocabulary

  better sense of humor

  use more non standard forms with covert prestige
• what are hedges?

  ’i guess so’ ‘kind of’ not very assertive and direct
• examples of super polite forms

  ’would you mind?’

  ’excuse me’
• examples of tag questions

  cold out there, isn’t it?

  used for reassurance and responses
• what is speaking in italics?

  tone, emphasising certain words for effect
• what are empty adjectives?

  Adjectives that don’t add any meaning

  used to soften or make something friendly
• what are lexicons?

  special terms for things, more creative and abstract way of speaking
• How did O’Barr and Atkins disprove the deficit theory?

  Analysed transcripts of 150hrs of trials in North Carolina criminal court.
• what were O’Barr and Atkins findings

  women’s features are more frequent in female than male speech but are also linked to speakers social status and previous courtroom experience.

  speakers using more tentative style are less likely to be believed regardless of gender

  people who express themselves more assertively are viewed as more powerful, associated with male speech styles

  low status relates to use of ‘powerless’ language
• O’Barr and Atkins analysed transcripts from 1980, Lakoff presented the deficit model in 1975. women had more power in 1980
• who theorised the deficit model?

  Robin Lakoff in 1975