Gender Communication and Language

Gender Communication and Language In the "enlightened" age of the 21st century, it appears logical to assume that men and women are finally accepted as equally competent and intelligent, both in the workplace and social settings. It is therefore interestingly shocking that communication studies reveal wide-ranging differences in the way in which men and women communicate. Many of these communication styles date from social systems where women were seen as incompetent and weak, whereas men were the competent, eloquent sector of society.

While society consciously accepts that gender differences do not extend to the mental faculties of the average man or women, these assumed differences still operate very much on a subconscious level. This view is explored by examining a variety of communicative settings, including workplace, social and online communication. According to a report by Vanfossen, women in formal group, meetings tend to display a subordinate disposition in relation to men. Men for example gain the floor more easily than do women, and keep the floor for longer.

Furthermore women tend to allow interruptions more readily. Interruptions from women also tend to be directed towards women speakers rather than men, while men in general interrupt more often than women. In informal settings on the other hand, where there is a collaborative effort of participants, women tend to display a fuller range of language ability (Vanfossen). Communicatively, women thus function better in a setting where the assumed gender roles are less individualistic and more collaborative. In informal, social settings the same tendency as in the workplace is evident.

Men tend to talk longer than women, even when they are at the same level of expertise as women. Also, men initiate interaction on a more regular basis than women. Vanfossen further finds that, while women are generally expected to be less competent and assertive than men, this expectation is altered when women are known to occupy positions of power. It is thus possible to cultivate an awareness of language use and to alter the perceptions bred over centuries of oppression.

This will however take time, as seen in the study done on online communication by Gladys We. In online communication, according to We, professional communication is less influenced by gender differences than in physical board meetings. In a social setting, however, online communication seems to be more individualistic than in social settings in physical clubs or bars. While logic suggests that women would feel more confident to express themselves online, We holds that this is not actually the case.

Indeed, many of the thought patterns cultivated over the above-mentioned centuries of oppression, prove to be even more prominently active online than otherwise. Indeed, men appear to feel more free to launch sexist remarks at women who enter chatrooms, thus discouraging them from communicating. On the other hand, We also cites research findings that suggest that some women find greater confidence online than they do in real life. A more confident personality online for example has helped women to become more confident in their lives as well.

We therefore emphasizes that computer communication can be both beneficial and detrimental to gender communication. Obviously in business settings this has been beneficial, as women have found a liberating voice online. In social settings however, communication could be either.