Sociolinguistics Session 4

LING1113

How does the postmodern view challenge essentialist ideas about sex and gender?

The postmodern view argues that even sex is socially constructed and that categories like ‘male’ and ‘female’ are not naturally fixed.

Medical interventions to enforce the binary (e.g., for intersex infants) show how cultural expectations shape biology.

What are ‘communities of practice’ and how do they relate to gender?

A community of practise is a group defined by shared activities and mutual engagement.

-Gender is performed differently across such communities (e.g., sports teams vs. academic circles), showing it’s not fixed.

What are Labov’s principles about gender and language?

Principle 1: in stable situations, men use more nonstandard forms.

Principle 1a: in prestige-driven changes (from above), women lead.

Principle 2: In changes from below, woman innovate more than men.

What is the ‘crossover effect’ in style-shifting?

It occurs when a middle-status group, often led by women, hypercorrects - using more prestigious forms than even the upper class in formal contexts.

This shows that style-shifting is socially motivated, not just linguistic.

How do sociolinguists explain women leading language change?

Dominance model: women use prestige forms to compensate for social inequality.

Difference model: Male and female socialisation leads to different norms (e.g., ‘report’ vs. ‘rapport’ talk - Tannen)

How did Eckert’s ‘Jocks and burnouts’ study illustrate language and gender?

In a Detroit high school, Burnouts, especially girls, led in vowel changes like backing /ʌ/. This shows how class, peer group, and gender intersect in linguistic innovation.

What does it mean for language to be ‘performative’ in the postmodern view?

Gender is not something we are, but something we do through language and behaviour. Each act (e.g., using a certain vowel) can contribute to a gendered persona. (Butler, Eckert, Pedsva) (GAY VOICE)

How does the Bocholtz (1996) study challenge stereotypes?

‘Nerd Girls’ rejected dominant femininity by avoiding trendy speech patterns and choosing formal, precise styles. Their language was part of a conscious identity resisting both gender and youth norms.