Language and Gender
Language and Gender
What evidence is there to show that men and women behave very differently in conversation?
How do linguists account for these differences?
Language is a tool that is believed to be unique to the human species. It is believed that on earth we are the only species to have developed the capacity to utilise language as a tool. It is considered to be the most powerful tool that we as modern humans have in our arsenal as it allows us to pass on our knowledge from one generation to the next, in a variety of methods be it verbal or written. It is what allowed us to not only survive but to thrive. During the last ice age it gave us a distinct advantage over other species that became extinct. Neanderthal man while being evolved from the same source species did not have the same capacity for language that we did because of this they became extinct. We were able to survive because we had a strong sense of community and because of language we were able to adapt and develop the skills necessary for survival.
In modern society this tool has evolved into thousands of languages, accents and dialects. Differences in the way men and women use speech has appeared and they occur regardless of our social background, or our level of education. There are several factors that influence how people use language. Gender has been identified as a major influence.
The study of language led to a set of conventions being put forward by Paul Grice known as Grice’s Maxim’s. These facilitate effective conversation. These maxims are the maxim of quality, where you say just what is needed to respond. The maxim of relevance ensures that what is said is relevant within the content of the conversation. The maxim of manner requires that you are courteous, well mannered and polite. The maxim of quality requires responding truthfully and able to support what you are saying with clear evidence. Also developed was the structure of conversation which said that all conversations
What evidence is there to show that men and women behave very differently in conversation?
How do linguists account for these differences?
Language is a tool that is believed to be unique to the human species. It is believed that on earth we are the only species to have developed the capacity to utilise language as a tool. It is considered to be the most powerful tool that we as modern humans have in our arsenal as it allows us to pass on our knowledge from one generation to the next, in a variety of methods be it verbal or written. It is what allowed us to not only survive but to thrive. During the last ice age it gave us a distinct advantage over other species that became extinct. Neanderthal man while being evolved from the same source species did not have the same capacity for language that we did because of this they became extinct. We were able to survive because we had a strong sense of community and because of language we were able to adapt and develop the skills necessary for survival.
In modern society this tool has evolved into thousands of languages, accents and dialects. Differences in the way men and women use speech has appeared and they occur regardless of our social background, or our level of education. There are several factors that influence how people use language. Gender has been identified as a major influence.
The study of language led to a set of conventions being put forward by Paul Grice known as Grice’s Maxim’s. These facilitate effective conversation. These maxims are the maxim of quality, where you say just what is needed to respond. The maxim of relevance ensures that what is said is relevant within the content of the conversation. The maxim of manner requires that you are courteous, well mannered and polite. The maxim of quality requires responding truthfully and able to support what you are saying with clear evidence. Also developed was the structure of conversation which said that all conversations
Bibliography: Ask.com Encyclopaedia (2010)[Online] available from: http://www.ask.com/wiki/Robin_Lakoff [accessed 15/12/2010] Class handout (2010) More, A (2002/3) Language and Gender [Online] available from: http://www.teachit.co.uk/armoore/lang/gender.htm Class handout (2010) ‘Can’t We Talk?’ available from: http://raysweb.net/poems/articles/tannen.html Class handout (2010) Theories on language and gender. October 2010 Class handout (2010) University of Leicester - Genderlects available from http://www.rishabh.com/letics.htm Lakoff, R (1975) Language and women’s place. New York: Harper and Row