Saturday, 7 November 2015

Gender in Language 06/11/15

Language in Gender



Sociolinguistics- the social variables that influence language (gender, age, ethnicity, religion, occupation)

Sex- what makes a person male or female in relation to their biology
Gender- what makes a person male or female in relation to social or cultural expectations

Discussion:

List of things you think men discuss in men only social groups-

-Sport                                        -School/College/Work
-Videogames                             -Gym
-Attractiveness of girls              -Social Media
-Girlfriends

List of things you think women discuss in women only social groups-

-Periods                                      -Weight
-Children/future family              -Shopping
-Family problems                       -Social Media
-Boyfriends                                 -Diets
-Other girls                                  -School/College/Work

List of things you think men and women discuss in mixed gender social group-

-Opposite sex                              -Holidays
-Parties/Events                            -Social Media
-School/College/Work                -Music

What do men want from a conversation with other men?-

-Wingman                                    -Validation
-Platonic bond                              -Self justification
-Banter

What do men want from a conversation with women?-

-Woman's attention                      -Emotional support
-Girl problems                              -Empathy 
-Girl's opinion

What do women want from a conversation with other women?-

-Advice                                          -Assurance
-Socialise                                       -Understanding
-Company                                      -Study help
-Support

What do women want from a conversation with men?-

-Man's attention
-Boy problems
-Male's opinion

Gender Specific Insults:

Men to Men-               Women to Women-                            Men to Women-       Women to Men-
  
-P*ssy                           -B*tch                                                   -Frigid                        -F*ckboy
-Pr*ck                            -Slut                                                     -Sweat                        -Pr*ck
-D*ckhead                     -Wh*re                                                 -Babe (sarcastic)        -D*ck
-Kn*b                            -Slag                                                    -Ugly                          -D*ckhead
-Kn*bhead                     -Hoe                                                    -Fat                             -A**hole
-C*ck                            -Fat                                                       -Slut
-A**hole                       -Ugly                                                    -Wh*re
-F*ggot                         -Flat chested                                         -C*nt (not often)
-Gay                              -Anything to do with appearance
-Gaylord                        -Two-faced
-Sweat                           
-C*nt
-Whipped
-Frigid
-D*ck
-Sh*thead
-Crackhead


The men to men list was easiest to make because they are heard in most frequency, often loudly, and are generally more extreme.
Women's insults are mainly sexual, specifically the idea that it is negative for them to sleep with a lot of people. Furthermore, the insults are also based around physical appearance.
Men's insults are mainly about asserting their masculinity or dominance; also, they are about their sexuality.


Men use language in a competitive way-       Women use language to reinforce personal relationships-

-Men use more direct statements                    -More detail
-Have higher volume                                      -More open
-More interruptions                                         -Share emotion
-More insults                                                   -Higher pitch (show enthusiasm)
                                                                         -Use sociolect

3 comments:

  1. Good overview - remember to comment that this was a snapshot of a group's opinion rather than effective research. When we rely on our impressions rather than being objective and investigating, we get a skewed picture that only represents our schema (our pragmatic understanding) of the concept. Perhaps you were not there when I asked people to edit their blogs, which are public, to use stars to obscure parts of potentially offensive words. Could you edit the post to do that? Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was not there when you said that! I am so sorry. I will edit it straight away

      Delete
    2. I was not there when you said that! I am so sorry. I will edit it straight away

      Delete