Language and Gender

Could someone’s gender really affect the way they perceive the world and communicate with others? This is what some linguists think! In this article, we will begin by exploring 'gendered' language, which is language that is biased towards a certain sex or gender. We will explain how it can affect larger societal issues like gender inequality. We will also explore the differences between the ways men and women use language, by looking at some gender and language theories that study.

Gendered language

In the case of the English language, the term ‘gendered language’ does not refer to the masculine or feminine labels given to nouns, as, unlike languages such as French and Spanish, English does not have grammatical gender. Instead, gendered language in this instance means:

Language and gender inequality

The use of gendered language can often lead to gender inequality, which creates an unfair bias towards a certain gender. This can result in harmful stereotypes which cause discrimination and portray a negative view of a certain gender. These stereotypes and negative views are often directed at women. For many years, women did not have the same rights and opportunities as men, such as not being able to vote or access certain public places, like pubs. The use of gendered language has the power to reinforce and maintain male supremacy in society.

Below are some examples of gendered language:

Examples of gendered language

Mr and Mrs

‘Mr’ can be used to refer to any man, regardless of his marital status. However, there are different terms to use for a woman, depending on her marital status. ‘Miss’ is used if she is not married. ‘Mrs’ is used if she is married. ‘Ms’ is a more neutral term for women who do not wish to disclose their marital status. The use of different terms for women and not men could be seen as problematic as it portrays the idea that their lives are defined only by the relationships they have with men.

Throughout history, a woman’s role in society has been closely associated with her marital status, which is why women use different titles. This highlights the privilege of men and the status they already have in society without being expected to marry someone.

Gender-biased job titles

In the past, gender roles were followed more strictly and there was a clearer divide between the expected roles for men and women. Men were seen as the main earners, whereas women looked after the children and carried out unpaid domestic work, like cooking and cleaning.

Some gender-biased job titles include:

• Policeman

• Fireman

• Postman

• Chairman

• Cameraman

Notice how they all end in man! The use of these jobs titles is problematic as it excludes the word women, implying that only men are fit for these positions… We all know now that women are able to work in any of the above jobs! However, the language we use when describing these jobs continues to cement the idea that they are typically done by men. This portrays men as strong and smart, and women are forgotten or overlooked.

Gendered Greetings

How many times have you heard “Ladies and gentlemen” or “Hello sir/madam”? Although they are used to address both male and females and are not biased towards one specific gender at a time, these greetings are still gendered. Because of this, they are not inclusive to people who do not associate with those binary terms.

Examples of gender-inclusive language

Gender-Neutral Job Titles

In today’s society, more job titles either have a female equivalent or are gender-neutral. Gender-neutral job titles can be seen as better as they do not carry a bias towards any sex or gender. Using these titles helps to limit negative stereotypes surrounding certain jobs and reduces inequality faced by women, as anyone is able to use them, not just men.

Instead of using gendered terms such as 'business man' or 'business woman', we can say 'business person'

Examples of gender-neutral job titles include:

• Police Officer (instead of Policeman)

• Fire Fighter (instead of Fireman)

• Postal Worker (instead of Postman)

• Chair/Chairperson (instead of Chairman)

• Camera Operator (instead of Cameraman)

Gender-neutral greetings

Instead of using greetings such as ladies and gentlemen or sir/madam, it is becoming more common to use neutral greetings such as everyone or folks to be more inclusive towards non-binary people.

Gender differences in language use

It has been argued that men and women use language in different ways, which reflects how they view themselves in society and how others perceive them. A variety of theories have been developed by linguists to study the ways that men and women use language. This allows us to gain a deeper understanding of possible similarities and differences between genders through the language we use in conversation.

Let's look at a basic overview of four of these theories.

Language and gender theories

Difference Theory

The difference theory simply aims to prove that men and women do speak in different ways. But, this does not mean that one way is better than the other. A supporter of this theory is Deborah Tannen. In her book, You Just Don’t Understand (1990), Tannen explores these differences. Below is a summary of her findings:

Dominance Theory

The dominance theory is the idea that the language men use is superior and holds more dominance in society, whereas the language women use is seen as inferior. This theory could be seen as problematic as it suggests that men have more authority over women, and women should be submissive. Some supporters of this theory include linguists such as Don Zimmerman, Candace West, Pamela Fishman and Dale Spender.

In 1975, Zimmerman and West conducted a study titled Sex Roles, Interruptions and Silences in Conversation (1975). In the study, they recorded 31 conversations between two people at a time. Ten of these conversations were between just men, 10 between just women, and 11 between both men and women. Below is a summary of their findings:

Men:

• Spoke more in general.

• Interrupted women more.

• Didn’t let women speak.

• Responded to women in a minimal and delayed way.

• Rarely interrupted other men.

Women:

• Were silent more, and for longer periods of time.

• Only interrupted other women, not men.

Deficit Theory

The deficit theory is the idea that the language men use is seen as the standard, whereas the language women use differs from the standard and is seen as insufficient. This theory could be seen as sexist as it portrays women as weaker and of lower status, highlighting the inequality faced by women. Supporters of this theory include Otto Jespersen and Robin Lakoff.

Below are some of the findings from Otto Jespersen’s book, Language: Its Nature, Development and Origin (1922):

WOMEN

• Talk a lot.

• Use simpler words as they have smaller vocabularies.

• Use more false starts and unfinished sentences because they speak before they think.

• Exaggerate more.

• Use too many adjectives and adverbs.

• Are emotional, not grammatical.

• Are more indirect, so are not as effective as men.

MEN

• Have larger vocabularies and use more difficult words.

• Are in charge of establishing new words in the English language.

Below are some of the findings from Robin Lakoff’s book, Language and Women’s Place (1975):

Women may use these things more than men BUT they use less:

• Slang.

• Swear words.

• Insults.

And perhaps the most sexist observation of all…

• Women don’t have a good sense of humour and are bad at telling jokes.

If reading any of the theories so far has got you looking like this...

Gender-related topics in English Language can be frustrating! Pixabay

You are not alone!

Diversity Theory

The diversity theory argues that there is a difference between sex and gender. It also suggests that the sex we are assigned at birth does not affect the language we use. Instead, the roles we have in society and the way we interact socially influences our language. Supporters of this theory include Deborah Cameron and Judith Butler.

Deborah Cameron believes that difference is a myth. Her research takes inspiration from contemporary theorists who challenge the idea that men and women use different language. She thinks that the differences in gender are because of the expectations placed on us by society. She coined the term ‘verbal hygiene’ in her 2012 book of the same name, to refer to the ways in which people think they are supposed to speak in order to fit into the norm and meet the expectations of a correct society.