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.