Gendered Verbal Communication Chapter 5

Expresses Cultural Views of Gender Language is most complex symbol system Language reflects and reinforces cultural views and values

Male Generic Language Male generic language erases women Research shows generic language leads many to assume only males included

Male Generic Language Evidence male language not perceived as generic Major dictionaries and newspapers now avoid it Writing manuals caution against its use

Male Generic Language For tips on how to use inclusive language: ◦ neutral/NeutralInclusiveLanguag e.shtmlhttp:// neutral/NeutralInclusiveLanguag e.shtml

Male Generic Language Discourage spotlighting ◦Highlighting a person’s sex  Lady doctor

Language Defines Men & Women Differently Women defined by appearance or relationship with others Men defined by activities or positions

Language Defines Men & Women Differently Coverage of women’s sports ◦Focuses more on women’s appearance than skill Coverage of rape or abuse ◦Irrelevant descriptions of victims

Language Defines Men & Women Differently Language reflects social views of women as passive and men as active in terms of sexual activity ◦Men expected to initiate  Language makes that seem acceptable

Language Defines Men & Women Differently Language reflects view women defined by relationship with others ◦News includes personal information about women ◦On TV, women depicted in interpersonal contexts

Language Defines Men & Women Differently In past, American unmarried women called spinsters or old maids In Mexico – me vale madre In Japan - leftover, underdog, parasite single

Language Defines Men & Women Differently Alternatives to traditional ways of naming ourselves: ◦Some women choose to retain birth name when marry ◦Some men and women adopt hyphenated names

Language Defines Men & Women Differently Alternatives to traditional ways of naming ourselves: ◦Some countries use both mother’s and father’s family names

Language Defines Men & Women Differently Alternatives to traditional ways of naming ourselves: ◦Renaming to reflect matriarchal lineage  Still reflects male lineage – mother’s father

Language Shapes Awareness Naming is important Previously sexual harassment not named ◦Not visible, making difficult to stop ◦When coined public recognized as unwanted behavior

Language Shapes Awareness Women raped on date had no way of naming ◦Now, with date rape, women have language to deal with violation

Language Shapes Awareness Language not static Change language to change understandings ◦We reject terms ◦We create new ones As modify language, we change our world

Language Organizes Perceptions Stereotype is generalization about entire class of phenomena Relying on stereotypes lead us to overlook important qualities of people

Language Organizes Perceptions Women: emotional and weak Men: rational and strong

Language Organizes Perceptions Women who use assertive speech described as rude Men who employ emotional language described as wimps

Language Organizes Perceptions English language encourages polarized thinking ◦Conceiving of things as absolute opposites Queer performative theory challenges polarized language

Language Evaluates Gender Language reflects cultural values Powerful influence on perceptions

Language Evaluates Gender Language devalues females by trivializing women: ◦Immature, juvenile ◦Equate with food, animals ◦Diminutive suffixes

Language Evaluates Gender Language devalues females by trivializing women: ◦Calling women girls ◦Sexually active called derogatory names

Language Allows Self-Reflection Name and evaluate ourselves Reflect on ourselves from society’s perspective ◦Live in a celebrity culture  Tempting to compare ourselves

Language Allows Self-Reflection Alternative to sex-typing is androgyny Androgynous people possess masculine and feminine qualities

Language Allows Self-Reflection Androgynous people: ◦Communicate in range of ways – flexible ◦Higher self-esteem – better adjusted ◦More effective in workplace ◦Happier marriages

Gendered Styles of Verbal Comm. Language - primary means to express gendered identities Gendered styles, not sex-based styles Some perform genders other than two conventionally recognized

Gendered Speech Communities Langer – culture possible only to extent people share symbol system Consistent with symbolic interactionist and cultural theories

Gendered Speech Communities Labov – speech community = group of people who share communication norms Less apparent when use language in different ways

Gendered Speech Communities Males and females socialized into different speech communities Discussing general differences and not absolute ones

The Lessons of Children’s Play Sex-segregated groups remain norm for children in U.S.

The Lessons of Children’s Play Children as young as 2-3 show preference for same-sex playmates

The Lessons of Children’s Play Boys’ games: ◦Large groups ◦Competitive ◦Clear goals ◦Rough play ◦Organized by rules and roles

The Lessons of Children’s Play Boys’ communication rules: ◦Use communication to assert ideas ◦Use talk to achieve something ◦Use communication to attract attention ◦Use communication to compete for talk stage

The Lessons of Children’s Play Girls’ games: ◦Pairs or small groups ◦No preset goals and roles ◦Not highly structured ◦Spend more time talking

The Lessons of Children’s Play Girls’ communication rules: ◦Use communication to create relationships ◦Use communication to establish egalitarian relationships

The Lessons of Children’s Play Girls’ communication rules: ◦Use communication to include others ◦Use communication to show sensitivity

The Lessons of Children’s Play Girls engage in more cooperative play Boys engage in more instrumental and competitive play Communication rules for men and women versions of those learned in childhood

Feminine Speech People socialized in feminine speech communities use language to foster connections Establishing equality important ◦Match experiences for symmetry ◦Interactive pattern

Feminine Speech Support for others ◦Express emotion ◦Attention to relationship level ◦Intensive adverbs ◦Questions probe for understanding

Feminine Speech Conversational maintenance work ◦Efforts to sustain conversation ◦Maintains interaction ◦Opens door to others

Feminine Speech Responsiveness ◦Eye contact, nod, tell me more ◦Affirms other person Encourages elaboration

Feminine Speech Personal, concrete style ◦Details ◦Personal disclosures ◦Anecdotes ◦Concrete reasoning ◦Cultivate personal tone

Feminine Speech Tentativeness ◦Verbal hedges ◦Qualify statements ◦Tag questions Seen as representing powerlessness However, reflect desire to keep conversation open

Masculine Speech Masculine speech communities regard talk as way to: ◦Accomplish concrete goals ◦Exert control ◦Preserve independence ◦Entertain ◦Enhance status

Masculine Speech Effort to establish status and control ◦Asserting ideas and authority ◦Telling jokes ◦Challenging others ◦More I-references ◦Avoid disclosing information ◦Give advice

Masculine Speech Instrumentality ◦Problem-solving efforts  Women feel men don’t care about feelings  Men think supporting woman by suggesting solution

Masculine Speech Conversational command ◦Talk more often – greater length ◦Reroute conversations ◦Interrupt more frequently

Masculine Speech Direct and assertive ◦More forceful and authoritative ◦Tentative forms used less frequently

Masculine Speech More abstract ◦General terms ◦Distanced from personal feelings

Masculine Speech Less emotionally responsive ◦Minimal response cues  May be perceived as lack of involvement ◦Lack of self-disclosure, expressed sympathy  May be seen as vulnerable

Gender-Based Misinterpretations Showing support Troubles talk

Gender-Based Misinterpretations The point of the story Relationship talk Public speaking

Gender-Based Misinterpretations Many can improve relationships by understanding and using both feminine and masculine communication styles Less likely to misread motives

Gender-Based Misinterpretations Become more gratifying conversational partners Enhance quality of relationships