Genderlect Theory

Genderlect theory is an area of study where linguists take part in on an interest of studying the language between sexes. This field of study was first originated in the early 20th century, where anthropologists drew on earlier reports of travelers and missionaries, describing the separation between men and women’s languages in societies removed from Western cultures (Thorne et. al, 1983).

‘Genderlect theory’ is a term that suggests masculine and feminine styles of discourse that are best viewed as two distinct cultural dialects rather than as inferior or superior ways of speaking (Griffin, 2009). This theory is seen as something that is relatable to every person in this world because, communication between the opposite sex occurs every day of our lives; it does not matter whether it is an interaction in a personal or professional situation.

When a study of language and gender is conducted, there is no running away from stereotyping between genders to occur. Stereotypes of men and women’s speech have had a long history as the language of men and women have been popularly perpetuated through proverbs, jokes, journalism, literature, and serious scholars (Graddol & Swann, 1989).

However, Tannen believed that many differences between men and women in communication has occurred earlier in one’s childhood and continuing through out adulthood, even though girls and boys may have grew in the same household, however, it can be understood and observed that they are treated very differently (Griffin, 2009). Women are seen to rapport talk as they seek human connection, while men report talk focuses on status independence. Miscommunication happens between sexes happen most of the time because; Tannen believed that both parties are not aware that these ‘miscommunications’ are the encounters of cross-cultural.

The Difference between men and women, according to Tannen:

1. Public speaking versus private speaking
a. Women are a lot more comfortable to speak up and talk more during private conversations, many women feel that their voice are not heard in public.
b. Men, have the tendency to speak up more than women as they having a “one up” lecture style, where they command attention, convey information and insist on agreement.
2. Conversing when telling a story
a. Men tell stories and jokes, more than women do. Telling jokes to one another is a way to negotiate one’s status in a masculine away. Not forgetting, men tend to make themselves the heroes in their own stories.
b. When women tell their stories, they tend to downplay themselves to make them sound modest and humble.


3. Listening
a. When a person tells a story to women, they seem to be a lot more alert by showing verbal and non-verbal cues, to show their attentiveness and interest. Women will interrupt the halfway to show support and agreement.
b. However, as for men they tend to avoid the cues above so it does overshadow their ‘masculinity one-up’ authority. When interruption occurs for men, they regard it as a power move.
4. Asking Questions
a. Men do not as for directions or help as it shows their ignorance and ‘weakness’.
b. Woman are more open to the idea of asking questions because, to them asking questions to establish a connection with others.
5. Conflicts
a. Men are comfortable with conflict as they believe conflict is the best way to reconnect
b. Women find conflict ‘deadly’ and a threat to connection that needs to be avoided at all times.


Understanding theory using media text:

This image shows a conflict going on between the guy and the girl. It shows how the difference between men and woman communicate turns this; as shown to what Tannen has stated that when women listens to a story they give out verbal and non-verbal cues while me they tend to avoid cues, however if this nature is not understood by both men and women, it would lead to a situation like the picture above.

The picture above is another great example of how men and women converse. When women speak the tend to not leave any information out which shows how specific they are with their stories, while men the tend to filter what they say making it straight to the point and short as possible, this illustrates why women are a lot more comfortable speaking in private because for them there is nothing to hold back while, men they have they style of "one up", and command attend to covey their information. These difference again can lead up to a conflict between one another especially when it comes to relationships.

References:

Graddol, D., & Swann, J. (1989). Gender Voices. Cambridge, USA: Basil Blackwell


Griffin, E. (2009) A first look at communication theory. (7th ed.). Glencoe, IL: McGraw-Hill.

Thorne, B., Kramarae, C., & Henley, N. (1983). Language, Gender and Society. Rowley, Massachusetts: Newbury House Publishers, INC.