DISCOURSE, GENDER AND SEXUALITY

In all speech communities, the linguistic features used by men and women contrast to different degrees. In all speech communities, the linguistic features used by men and women contrast to different degrees.

Definition of gender. Definition of gender. Different from sex of a person. Different from sex of a person.

 Gender Socio-cultural behaviour, socially- constructed category, product of social practice, Socio-cultural behaviour, socially- constructed category, product of social practice, A routine, repeated acts according to historical and socio-cultural norms that define masculinity and femininity. (Weatherall 2002) A routine, repeated acts according to historical and socio-cultural norms that define masculinity and femininity. (Weatherall 2002)

Cameron (2005) – gender is something a person does, the way they talk and act. Cameron (2005) – gender is something a person does, the way they talk and act. Gendered identity is continuously produced, reproduced, changed and reaffirmed through peoples' performance. Gendered identity is continuously produced, reproduced, changed and reaffirmed through peoples' performance.

Gender as performativity. Gender as performativity. What we unconsciously do in public with others enact or reveal our gendered roles. What we unconsciously do in public with others enact or reveal our gendered roles. Gender is performed and done in context Gender is performed and done in context

Holmes (2001) Gender preferential speech forms. Gender preferential speech forms. Gender-exclusive speech forms. Gender-exclusive speech forms.

Gender preferential speech forms. Women tend to use more standard forms than men do. Women tend to use more standard forms than men do. Men use more vernacular forms than women do. Men use more vernacular forms than women do. e.g. Women pronounce words with '–ing' fully. 'swimming, playing, trying'. e.g. Women pronounce words with '–ing' fully. 'swimming, playing, trying'. Men pronounce them ending with '-in'. 'swimmin, playin, tryin'. Men pronounce them ending with '-in'. 'swimmin, playin, tryin'.

Spender (1980) 1) Dominance 1) Dominance The distribution of power in society where women's language reflects their continuous subordinate position. The distribution of power in society where women's language reflects their continuous subordinate position. 2) Difference 2) Difference Due to different socio-cultural upbringing, boys and girls grow up different ways with different ways of communicating and behaving Due to different socio-cultural upbringing, boys and girls grow up different ways with different ways of communicating and behaving

Cameron (1998) – expressions of gender and power are context-specific, person- specific, with particular function and purpose. Cameron (1998) – expressions of gender and power are context-specific, person- specific, with particular function and purpose.

Holmes (2004) - How people speak about men and women also contribute to gendered discourse. Holmes (2004) - How people speak about men and women also contribute to gendered discourse.

Language choices show who is in control and whose values will prevail. Language choices show who is in control and whose values will prevail. Refer to Paltridge for example on page 34 by Richardson (2000) and Cameron (1999) Refer to Paltridge for example on page 34 by Richardson (2000) and Cameron (1999)

Language to perform gendered identity. Language to perform gendered identity. Refer to page 34 by Mean (2001) on male football referees talk to confirm masculine identity, create solidarity and show group membership Refer to page 34 by Mean (2001) on male football referees talk to confirm masculine identity, create solidarity and show group membership

Gendered discourse may also reveal social class. Gendered discourse may also reveal social class. Women favour the overtly prestigious form and men prefer the vernacular, one which is not highly admired by society. Women favour the overtly prestigious form and men prefer the vernacular, one which is not highly admired by society.

Why do women prefer the standard prestigious form? (Holmes 2001). Why do women prefer the standard prestigious form? (Holmes 2001). Why don't men use more standard forms? Why don't men use more standard forms?

Factors influencing people's discourse: gender affiliation, gender affiliation, the social roles that women and men play, the social roles that women and men play, their different values and social networks, their different values and social networks, the social categories they identify with, the social categories they identify with, their sensitivity to contextual factors. their sensitivity to contextual factors.

Discourse and sexuality More towards the notion of desire for connection to others on an unconscious basis. More towards the notion of desire for connection to others on an unconscious basis. Goes into the subject of mimicking a heterosexual person when one is not, or masquerading as another gender when one is not. Goes into the subject of mimicking a heterosexual person when one is not, or masquerading as another gender when one is not. Example??? Example???