Relationship between Gender and Language

Abstract

There is a close connection between the structures, vocabularies and the ways of using language and the social roles of men and women who speak the language. Why there are different varieties for men and women. Do men and women use language in the same way? Why do these differences arise? Is it because of the structures of that language? Or because of the norms of the society, which prescribe the ways men and women should use language. First question gives rise to another question: ‘Is it possible to describe a particular language ‘sexist’? The second question also produces another question: ‘Is it possible to label the users of that language and the norms regulating the use of language as ‘sexist’’. These questions are actually the issues of discussion on gender and language. Besides, how can we avoid sexism in language is also a concern of the discussion.  We examine gender differences in language use in light of the biological and social construction theories of gender.

Keywords: Gender, Politeness and Stereotypes, Pronunciation, Interruptions, Competitive, cooperative, Construction of gender, social construction, biological, language differences, Dominance, Status and Power.