TOPIC 8-1

GENDER, POLITENESS, STEREOTYPE

1. Women's Language and Confidence

  • Robin Lakoff's observations on women's language include expressions of uncertainty and lack of confidence.

2. Language Style Examples

  • Direct Commands (M)

    • a) Close the door.

  • Compliments (F)

    • b) That’s an adorable dog.

  • Expressions of Concern (F)

    • c) Oh dear, the TV set’s broken.

  • Personal Exclamations (M)

    • d) I’ll be damned there’s a friend of mine!

  • Casual Accounts (M)

    • e) I was very tired.

  • Polite Requests (F)

    • f) Won’t you please get me that pencil?

  • Other Statements

    • g) They did the right thing, didn’t they? (F)

    • h) You’re damn right! (M)

    • i) I was just exhausted. (F)

    • j) My goodness, there’s the Prime Minister! (F)

    • k) I was so mad. (F)

    • l) Damn it, I’ve lost my keys! (M)

3. Language Features of Women

  • Hedging Devices: Signals lack of confidence (e.g., lexical hedges, filler words).

  • Boosting Devices: Persuasive language aims to take the statement seriously.

4. Tag Questions Usage

  • Functions to express:

    • Uncertainty

    • Doubt

    • Facilitative politeness devices: Softens directives or criticisms.

5. Breakdown of Tag Questions by Gender

  • Expressing Uncertainty:

    • Women: 35%

    • Men: 61%

  • Facilitative Use:

    • Women: 59%

    • Men: 26%

  • Softening Statements:

    • Women: 6%

    • Men: 13%

6. Speech Behavior and Interaction

  • Interrupting Behavior: Women get interrupted more frequently than men.

  • Conversational Feedback: Women provide more positive feedback to conversational partners compared to men.

7. Gossiping Styles

  • Women:

    • Focus on experiences, problems, feelings without criticism to maintain comfort.

  • Men:

    • Argue and critically engage with topics, with tendency to make partners feel down.

8. Language Constructs and Identities

  • Gender viewed as a process, shaping social identity through narrative and experience.

  • Sexist language perpetuates cultural values through stereotypes across generations.

9. Stereotyping

  • Definition: Generalized views about attributes that members of a social group should possess.

  • Gender Stereotypes: Can be positive (e.g., nurturing) or negative (e.g., weakness).

  • Harmful Stereotypes: Restrict personal growth and professional opportunities; contribute to child-rearing responsibility biases.

10. Discrimination and Changing Attitudes

  • Examples of Discrimination:

    • Treatment differences based on stereotypical expectations (e.g., land ownership).

  • Educational Efforts:

    • Promote awareness regarding women’s roles in decision-making.

    • Eliminate occupational segregation and gender stereotypes in family and societal issues.