Introduction to Gender Studies Language and Gender

Women as a social group members of the group live near each other in a recognised neighbourhood or they have recognised meeting places; they have a recognisable and distinctive subculture; members of the group acknowledge the existence of the group: belonging to the group is part of their identity (cf. Coates 7)

Theory: Language and Gender Robin Lakoff: Language and Woman’s Place Dale Spender: Man Made Language Maria Black and Rosalind Coward: language: not inherently sexist

Pitch FEATURES MEN WOMEN CHILDREN RANGE 80–200 Hz 120–400 Hz EXTREME TYPICAL RANGE USED 100–150 Hz 200–300 Hz AVERAGE 120 Hz 225 Hz 265 Hz

Lexicology Women’s „ephemeral vocabulary” Innovation Androcentric rule Speech – silence Interest areas “Gossip” vs discussion Naming “man” Taboo language/swearing Semantic derogation of women

Gendered pairs of words Male Female courtier courtesan master mistress host hostess governor governess adventurer adventuress sir madam bachelor spinster lord lady king queen priest priestess poet poetess god goddess

Syntax and discourse Set phrases Generic “he” Hedges, tag questions, questions Turn-taking

Turn-taking: same-sex conversations 1st speaker 2nd speaker Total overlaps 12 10 22 interruptions 3 4 7 15 14 29

Turn-taking: mixed-sex conversations Male speaker Female speaker Total overlaps 9 interruption 46 2 48 55 57

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