The topic of language and gender concerns
- The different ways in which men and women use language and
- How the structure of language reflects and/or promotes gender division within a society.
In considering the first area, interesting questions include: Does one gender tend to employ more polite expressions? Use different patterns of intonation when speaking? Tend to speak louder? Interrupt more? Employ a greater pitch range? Use different body language and facial expressions.
Regarding the second area, consider the following:
- Anyone who has studied a second language recognizes that his language is intimately connected to his sense of self...
As opposed to:
- All of us who have studied a second language recognize that our language is intimately connected to our sense of self...
"What's the difference?" you might ask. "Why should one pronoun be so important?" Some would argue that non-inclusive does not cause, but merely reflects the society. Others believe that language has power not only to shape our view of the world, but our view of who we believe ourselves to be, and our place in society.
The following links will provide you with an introduction to the concerns, and to some extent, the politics of language and gender.
Gender Styles In Communication
Gender Differences in Communication
Topics include: body language, facial expressions, speech patterns, and behavior. Simple, easy to read side-by-side charts.
Gender, Language, and Computer-Mediated Communication
Men's and women's different styles of communicating as reflected in the way we communicate via computer.
Talking Like a Woman
Written for transgendered (sex-changed) men, this article offers an interesting (stereotypical?) view of women's communication style.
Language Usage Guidelines
The American Heritage Book of English Usage
Gender: Sexist Language and Assumptions: An informative history of the issue, with hyperlinks to words tending to have gender bias. Nice!
National Council of Teachers of English
"Because language plays a central role in the way human beings think and behave, we still need to promote language that opens rather than closes possibilities for women and men."
Tests and Quizzes
Gender-Free Language
This quiz, written for ESL/EFL students, asks you to find substitutes for 15 everyday words with gender associations.
Gender Neutral Language
Another quiz, in which you are asked to re-write sentences to remove the gender bias. At the bottom of the page, click on Unbiased Language for more information and a long list of gender-neutral vocabulary.
Scholarly Concerns
University of Connecticut
Guidelines on non-sexist language from the UConn Women's Studies Program. A good list of sexist and corresponding anti-sexist language.
UNC: Using Gender-Sensitive Languag
Concise and readable guidelines.
Gender in Language
Interesting anecdotes from academia on the current state of gender-associated language.
Everybody Loves Their Jane Austen
Examples of usage of "they" to substitute for s/he in the writings of Jane Austen and other noted authors.
Language, Gender and the Bible
Inclusive Language Bibles
"If we accept the Great Commission of Jesus as a valid command to the church--that we are to make disciples - why would we want to hamper ourselves with a Bible translation that leaves half of the people out?"
The Gender-Neutral Language Controversy
"Gender-neutral Bible versions originated as an attempt by feminists to transform both the language and the beliefs of Christians." Also at this site, see the Inclusive Language Lectionary
Organizations
The Language and Gender Page
Provides links to "information and resources about language and gender studies, an interdisciplinary field with connections to anthropology, cultural studies, education, ethnic studies, linguistics, literary studies, psychology, sociology, and women's studies, among others."
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