Language and gender in communication

Bergvall, Victoria L., Janet M. Bing, and Alice F. Freed. Rethinking Language and Gender Research: Theory and Practice. New York: Addison Wesley Longman Limited, 1996.

Rethinking Language and Gender Research" is a compilation of articles and quantitative studies about the biological and cultural influences that gender differences have over language. Of vital importance is Bergvall and Bing's introductory chapter in the book, an article entitled, "The questions of questions: beyond binary thinking." This article summarizes the scholarly studies conducted over the years by social scientists and linguists in an attempt to explain how gender differences affect the language spoken in various areas and cultures. Bergvall and Bing explore this problem by explaining the language and gender problem through the biological and cultural approaches. The authors establish the fact that studies on gender effect on language is historically based on the premise that language is based on the strict dichotomy of male and female genders. Three questions are presented in attempting to explain how the female-male dichotomy affects studies on gender and language, and these are the fundamental question Bergvall enumerates: (1) how men and women speak differently; (2) how language reflect, construct, and maintain male dominance; and, ultimately, (3) hoe men / women are TAUGHT to speak differently. In answering these questions, Bergvall and Bing comes up with the concept of 'gender polarization,' wherein oversimplification of the female-male dichotomy in language and stereotypes about these two gender groups are the common mistakes that research and studies commit, which makes their studies on the relationship of gender and language narrow in scope and insufficient in explaining this sociological (and even scientific) problem. Quantitative analyses presented in the book can be helpful for a thorough study of the history of research on the said topic.

Coates, Jennifer. Women, Men, and Language. New York: Longman Publishing, 1996.

This book by Jennifer Coates is a comprehensive study of the study of gender effects on language in various approaches, such as the historical, sociological, anthropological, and even the cultural (and linguistic) approaches. In the first chapter of the book, Coates discusses briefly the problem of gender effect on language, particularly on the continuing subordination of the women's position in the society (compared to that of men) through the use of language. Coates presents two approaches wherein this problem can be studied critically: through the dominant and difference approaches. The dominant approach theorizes that women are the oppressed group in the society and that language of women are the primary factors why this happens, while the difference approach states that there is simply a dichotomy between males and females, and that difference in language spoken is due to their difference in 'subcultures.' The book also contains a useful and very comprehensive historical background on studies of gender and language, which thoroughly discusses and explains the 'Androcentric Rule' of language (which actually means a male-dominated (or centered) language).

Green, Keith and Jill LeBihan. Critical Theory and Practice: A Coursebook. New York: Routledge, 1996.

Keith Green and Jill LeBihan's coursebook on the basics of language and its application to sociology is essential for studying gender effect on language because of its brief, but insightful discussion of the "Androcentric language" prevalently used in almost all societies throughout history. The common misconception about women language as purely 'gossip' and 'prattle' as also explained in light of the "Androcentric language" dilemma of gender influence on language. One of the important premises presented in this book about gender and language is the statement that "[s]ubordination is seen as an advances grammatical structure which requires complex brain functions (which women... cannot perform)." This book discusses the biological influences that somehow agues the fact that biology has a lot to do with how language is spoken by the gender groups of males and females.

Language and Gender." 1996. University of Pennsylvania Linguistic Data Consortium Web site. November 29, 2002 http://www.ldc.upenn.edu/myl/ling001/gender.htm.

This web page by the University of Pennsylvania Linguistic Data Consortium Web site is a comprehensive discussion of the differences between men and women language, supported by biological studies (illustrated by graphical representations) and research that proves how gender differences affects language. The cultural and psychological approaches are also used to explain the problem of gender difference in language. The web page also includes a proper distinction of the definitions of sex and gender for better comprehension of the readers.