Gender and Language Revision

Study Notes

Language and Gender Revision List

Gender Representation and Stereotypes

Language has been reformed to address gender representation and stereotypes
Gender marking is a key aspect of language and gender studies

Deficit Models

Lakoff (1975) developed a deficit model, suggesting that women's language is weak and lacking
Examples of Lakoff's list include:
- Women use more polite language and tag questions
- Women use more hedges and fillers
- Women use more indirect language
Male as norm, female as weak is a common critique of Lakoff's model
Problems with research conducted by Lakoff, including biased samples and methods

Criticism of Deficit Models

O'Barr and Atkins (1980) criticized Lakoff's model, suggesting that language is not just about power, but about relationships and social context
Seymour ( SMJ Japanese group) and Maltz and Borker (1982) also criticized deficit models

Dominance Models

Zimmerman and West (1975) developed a dominance model, suggesting that men interrupt women more in mixed-sex interactions
Male as norm, seeking to dominate in mixed-sex interactions, female as weak
Problems with research conducted, including biased samples and methods
Geoff Beattie (1982) criticized dominance models, suggesting that interruptions are not gender-specific

Alternative Models

Pamela Fishman (1983) developed an alternative model, focusing on how women maintain relationships through language (conversational "shitwork")
Male language is seen as at fault, moving away from deficit models

Difference Models

Deborah Tannen (1990) developed a difference model, suggesting that men and women have different communication styles
Six contrasts, including:
- Independence vs. intimacy
- Status vs. support
- Advice vs. understanding
Criticism from the linguistic community, including Professor Alice Freed, suggesting that Tannen misinterpreted previous studies

Diversity and Similarities

Deborah Cameron (2007) criticized the myth of Mars and Venus, suggesting that analysis of gender has looked for differences, not similarities
Janet Hyde (_gender similarities hypothesis) conducted a meta-analysis, showing more similarities than differences in the way people use language
Non-gender focused studies that may help, including:
- Trudgill (1970s) on non-standard consonant patterns in Norwich
- Cheshire (1982) on Reading teenagers and standard features
- Milroy (1987) on social networks in Belfast and language use

Description

This quiz covers the concepts of gender representation, stereotypes, and language reform, including Lakoff's deficit model and the criticism by O'Barr and Atkins. It also explores the dominance model and language of power.