How does the language of male and female differ and what changes are evident

趙汗青

Abstract:By attempting to explore the differences in language between male and female, this essay first aims to introduce a description about the differences between men and womens language. After that, it analyzes how language is used to disclose the significance of the language and gender study. Due to the understanding the nature and role of gender in a particular language, it is acknowledged that both gender differences and developing societies are all responsible for the differences between male and female language. When it comes to foreign language teaching, teachers should raise students awareness and consider the differences between male and female language in order to make communication smoothly and effectively.

Keywords: differences, language, male and female

摘要:

男性語言和女性語言有很多差異,本文在主要分析男性語言和女性語言的差異的同時,簡要論述了造成這些差異的原因。

關鍵詞:差異,語言,男性和女性

Introduction

Language and gender refers to that language which is usually used by men and women or that which is characteristic of gender differences. The topic of which has attracted more and more scholars since the beginning of the western womens rights movement. Looking beyond biological differences to socially constructed differences, at first, this essay attempts to introduce a description of the differences between men and womens language and then analyzes how language is used to disclose the significance of the language and gender study.

Differences

The differences between male and female language are reflected not only in language structures such as pronunciation, intonation, and sentence structures, but also in language conversation and communication. Detailed illustrations in these aspects are as follows:

To begin with, phonological difference or pronunciation variation can be a significant sign concerning aspects of speakers social identify, such as gender [1]. For example, women utilize standard language to communicate. They not only notice the appropriate word pronunciation, but also pay more attention to standard language than men do. Women utilize more socially prestigious speech than men [2]. In other words, women use more correct or standard speech than men do [3]. Secondly, female speakers tend to have a wider range in their intonation. For example, compared with men, women are fond of rising intonation on declaratives, such as “A: ‘When will dinner be ready? B: ‘Six oclock? ” [4]. To conclude, women speech follows the standard criteria more than mens.

Yet, despite all the phonological differences between men and womens speech, the sentence structures can also show different language characteristics between males and females. In the first place, it seems that men are more direct speakers in using “judgmental adjectives (Its good to…) and directives (Write this down.)”, whereas women are likely to indirect speech such as “uncertainty verbs (Im not sure) and questions (What do you think?)” [5]. Therefore, the features of male language are that it is more direct, succinct, personal and instrumental whereas the majority of female features are more indirect, elaborate and affective [5]. Furthermore, in a sense, it may seem obvious that women utilize more so-called stables variables when they are speaking; however, currently, men are frequently more conservative than women in their use of variables [1]. For example, women will use the negative concord like “I didnt do anything” which seems more strange than normal; while men are more likely to say “I didnt do nothing” which is a standard speech [1]. In summary, mens speech is more straightforward, although men sometimes will keep conservative nowadays.

Apart from the contrast at sentence level, the differences in communication are also clear and worth researching. To begin with, women are more conservative than men and more polite [3] in their speech. For instance, tag questions can be defined as the fragment of a question to an ordinary declarative clause [4]. When communicating with other people, women tend to utilize softer and considerate speech such as tag questions “this election mess is terrible, isnt it? [4]” In other words, unlike men, women are often unsure about their statements and show a great desire to agree with others when they are communicating.

Similarly, although men and woman may have the same tendency to interrupt in conversations, women seem to speak more politely to ask permission and consider about when others have finished talking [6]; in a word, women are more polite when interrupting each other. What is more, women will use ‘I am sorry or ‘excuse me to interrupt each others topics at the beginning of the utterance. Moreover, as mentioned earlier, women are more considerate, therefore they have great tendency to utilize the pronouns “you” and “we” in order to give politeness and acknowledge the existence of other speakers [6]. In a word, it seems that women are more careful when jumping into conversations than men.

In addition to the consideration and politeness of womens speech, it is also noteworthy that women are likely to use positive responses such as “mm/hmm” compared with men and give agreement comments in the stream of talking rather than arguing at the end of the conversation [6]. By contrast, men often challenge and debate others statements [6]. Furthermore, another difference is that women persist in asking more questions than men. Both Fishman (1978) and Hirschman [6], point out that women ask questions easily when they have conversations with men.

Last but not least, men tend to give simple, direct commands while women like to make suggestions [7]. For example, there are six oral examples from men and women in a study of street play in Philadelphia [7]:

Mens speech:

‘Gimme the pliers.

‘Get off my steps.

‘Look man, gimme the wire.

Womens speech:

‘Lets go round the corner.

‘Lets ask her for some more bottles.

‘We could go round looking for more bottles.

In other words, boys are more focused and direct in their actions, whereas girls are likely to speak and include themselves. According to Goodwin [7], boys groups are active and based on power, so they are more leader-dominated; on the other hand, girls tend to negotiate and rely on each other. In addition, men and women will be interested in different topics which are developed when they are young: men are fond of sports and politics whereas women show their opinions about child-rearing and personal relationships [8]. As being proved above, boys and girls characteristics in speeches will be the previous acquiring experience for the differences between men and women.

Above all, men and women perform differently on complying with the communicative rules in cross-gender conversations. In contrast to men, women represent less powerful and more considerate speakers, whereas men are more direct and leader-oriented.

Changes and importance of language and gender study in culture and language teaching

Language involves sharing cultural meaning and culture involves sharing language and so they are interacting and developing. Language is a product of cultural process is preparing meanings for culture. Cultures share a range of definitions and interactions with peoples lives [11]. It is acknowledged that languages and cultures are interacting with different [12] communication style [13]. Therefore, male and female language will be influenced by different culture acquired through communication.

Historically, the changes in mens and womens language depend very much on the community and societys movements and shifts [15]. To begin with, because of the changes in womens position in society, womens social roles have become more and more important; therefore, the ways of communicating between men and women are now moving into a new situation. For example, in Belfast, more and more young women seek for work positions and establish networks similar to men in the community; therefore, this change will lead to significant linguistic reflexes [14]. Furthermore, it is acknowledged that gender differences in language usage are influenced by “stylistic preferences” of gender identity and also gender differences representing the “national culture” of social positions [5]. In addition, with the development of society, male and female language will definitely change all the times. For example, research pays more attention to the conversational styles between men and women. The research shows that men are not less talkative than women; they are fond of taking in husband-wife interactions, TV discussions and meetings [8].

Men and womens differences in their language strongly suggest that teachers can utilize the characteristics between boys and girls and improve communication with their students. For example, girls are more sensitive and interactive at a very early age while boys are not as good in this respect [16]. In addition, taking into account the differences in male and female language and paying more attention in teaching contents will have positive effects. For example, appropriate gender-based discourse in textbooks will build better understanding and help overseas students to adapt quickly into American society in schools [17]. In summarizing, teachers should be aware of considering more gender differences and utilizing appropriate teaching methods.

To sum up, with the development of research into language and gender in societies, it is clear that the characteristics of men and womens language will also change in order to suit the environment. Therefore, as a language teacher, it is essential not only to pay attention to students gender and their characteristics, but also to encourage and promote students learning effectively.

Conclusion

In conclusion, by understanding the nature and role of gender in a particular language, it is acknowledged that not only gender differences but also developing societies all have responsibility for the differences between male and female language. Through describing the differences of male and female language in language systems and communication in detail, and analyzing the causes of these differences especially about social factors, the main purpose is to raise peoples awareness and consider the differences between male and female language in order to make communication smooth and teaching and learning more effective.

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