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3) Discuss gender differences in language use, making use of at least two articles we discussed in class or that you read. Clearly state the findings from the literature that you wish to discuss (include a citation of the relevant article). What meaning do the articles you chose give to the findings? Do you agree with the interpretations? Why or why not?
The differences between men and women have been put under scrutiny for almost all aspects of life. Goddard and Patterson have concluded in their book, Language and Gender, that there is a significant difference in the way men and women use language (2000). They found the style of speech, including vocabulary and lexical variations, very different for both genders (Goddard & Patterson, 2000). They further claim that these variations are due to the different cognitive models created from cultural influences (Goddard & Patterson, 2000).
This theory finds support when examining the differences between gender speech styles in Japan, and how the cultural changes coincided with the language changes. The article by Katsue Akiba Reynolds discusses the long traditional ideas regarding women in Japan due to Confucianism (Female speakers of Japanese in transition). According to Reynolds, women were placed in the role of daughters, wives, and mothers; and these roles had an enormous influence on how Japanese women in this society were encouraged, taught, and allowed to speak. For example, a woman’s tone of voice and use of words were strictly defined. These women were either under the protection of their father or husband which offered them little choice but obedience, and with such economic and personal restrictions they had no way of learning any more than they were taught. Because of this almost total dependence on men, Japanese women used obedient, passive, and accepting language (Female speakers of Japanese in transition).
However, the role of Japanese women is changing and they are now achieving economic independence from men. The consequence of the changes in women’s importance and equality has been a coinciding change in their speech style. External influences, such as the internet, movies, and American TV programs have also come into play in broadening the ideas of Japanese women. Gradually, these women have begun to speak with confidence toward men (Female speakers of Japanese in transition). Comparing the changes in Japanese culture, due to both internal and external influences, with the changes in Japanese language use between genders supports the role of cultural influence over gender differences in language.
Goddard and Patterson also claim that men and women speak differently because of differences in the brain (2000). They state that this causes women to prefer clean and refined language, rather than the coarse and vulgar language that men use (Goddard & Patterson, 2000). However, Hoing suggests that the similarities or differences in the way men and women speak depends on their environment, not their biology (n.d.). Hoing states that boys and girls are taught and allowed to speak differently than each other in early childhood (n.d.). The author claims that female toddlers speak in a much more expressive and developed language than male toddlers. One reason Hoing offers for this, is the differences in opportunities to hear large amounts of language and familiar conversations during play time and being cared for (n.d.). During the first years of life children usually hear mostly from their parents, and so their parent’s vocabularies and tone of voice have a strong influence on them. Hoing states that even though both male and female babies receive vocabulary, tone, and expression equally, the way they are spoken to may be very different (n.d.). For example, if a female baby’s parents speak to her in a strong, harsh manner she may speak in a way stereotypically connected to males. Although early childhood development is very influential, other influential people can change or eventually decide how a similar a person’s language use is to their gender.
Another theory about why language use differs between men and women is based on gender stereotypes. Mills claims that women use language that reflects their concern with cooperation and avoiding conflict (2003). The author attributes this finding to the gender stereotype in which women are powerless and subordinate to men. Many agree that general gender stereotyping is relevant to the use of swear words (Mills, 2003; Carter & Goddard, 2000). There are many popular sayings used to convince girls that swearing will give them a bad image, such as “nice girls don’t swear,” and “swearing like a trooper” (Carter & Goddard, 2000, p. 87). These sayings imply that while it is inappropriate for girls to swear, it is acceptable if boys do. Carter and Goddard also give many examples of books that describe traditional behavior for women as soft (2000), although these standards are becoming less and less relevant. Now that women are filling the stereotypical roles of men in the workforce, there are different behaviors necessary to succeed.
These articles agree that men and women spoke very differently at one point due to many different factors. Various beliefs and rules have dictated very different roles for each gender, and these roles reflected in the respective languages. However, the fight for equality by women has gradually changed their style of speech over time. A female CEO cannot appear soft or passive if she wants to be successful; therefore the slow integration of women into male roles is sure to affect the differences in language use. Parents have a strong influence on early language development, and now that some fathers are staying home with their children while mothers work; it may influence a child’s style of speech differently. The media continues to offer very stereotypical images of men and women and the language that they use, but even this is slowly changing with each generation. The previous arguments discussed agree that a society’s culture is hugely influential on the differences in language use between genders. This is clear as the changes in the equality of men and women change the language men and women use.