Sociolinguistics: Language and Gender. Dominance Approaches & Difference Approaches

Literature Review of feminist linguistics: Dominance Approach & Difference Approach. In two parts:

1. Lakoff : Women’s Language – Deficit / Dominance Approach (1800 words)

– Presentation & history

– Analysis of strength & weaknesses

– Why is this theory important, what did we gain, what are the limitations, how has feminism changed eg. Intersectionality?

– Questions regarding Lakoff: What is women’s language and why do we view it as something negative? Do women subordinate themselves through their language? Is male language more successful in society? Why is collaborative language viewed as less successful?

– Conclusion

2. Holmes (and Stubbe) / Deborah Tannen / Cameron- Difference Approaches (1900 words)

– Presentation & history / Focus on “features of interactional styles” (Holmes et al 2003, p. 574)

– Analysis of strengths & weaknesses (eg. context of table)

– Why is this theory important, what did we gain, what are the limitations eg. Gender as a spectrum rather than binary opposites

– Questions: Do women speak more collaboratively? Has viewpoint changed: Previously subordinate language is now viewed as something positive, due to societal change?

– Link to Lakoff: Did Lakoff “judge” and Holmes and Stubbe “state”? How do we judge a type of communication as negative or positive?

– Conclusion

– Gaps in research and theories, for future research?
 (300 words)