409b August 24, 2006

Introduction to Gender Discourse

By: Crystal Bulda

Instructions for this activity are found at:

http://www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/g25-oral1.htm

Instructor: Dr. Leon James

Tannen, Deborah (1996).  Gender and Discourse.  (New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press).  Reviewing pages 3 to 18.

I. Methodological Context

A.  Dannen’s work reflects her aspect of approach, contrasting with the dominant strains in the linguistic discipline, referred to as “discourse analysis.”

1.   Focuses on connected language beyond the sentence.

2.   Addresses the intersection of language ad social phenomena.

3.   Anthropologically oriented by examining individual cases of interaction, taking into account their cultural context.

B.   Frustrations in conversations between women and men can be understood by reference to systematic differences in how women and men tend to signal meaning in conversation.

II.   The Role of Dominance in a Cultural Difference Framework

A. Consequences of style differences work to the disadvantage of members of groups that are stigmatized in our society, and to the advantage of those who have the power to enforce their interpretations.

1.   The person seeking benefits systematically loses as a result of style differences.

2.   Societally determined power differences are in inextricable element of culture difference theory and research.

3.   The result of misinterpretation of theoretical framework approaches gender and language into pure culture and pure dominance approaches.

4.   “Differences” precludes “dominance” referring that cultural differences denies that dominance exists.

B.   Conversational style in interaction can help explain how dominance is actually created in interaction.

III. Beyond the Nature/Nurture Dichotomy

A. Gender differences shouldn’t be ascribed to either biological or cultural sources.

1.   It is the role of childhood peer groups as the source of gendered patterns in ways of speaking.

2.   Purely biological in origins assumes that there is no way of social change.

3.   Purely cultural in origins assumes that social change is flexible.

B.   3 Attributes must change to effect change.

1.   Understand the patterns of human behavior.

2.   Appreciation of the complexity of these patterns.

3.   Humane respect for other human beings.

Relates Links:

APA Newsletters 98:1-Alain Locke and the Language of World Solidarity

http://www.apa.udel.edu/apa/archive/newsletters/v98n1/black/scholz.asp

In addition to identity, differences, cultural hegemony, and imperialism, Alain LeRoy Locke addresses linguistic dominance.  Locke emphasizes on cultural pluralism for language problems.  Locke also focuses on language with two inseparable influences of culture and politics.

Feminism and Women Studies: Gender Differences in Communication

http://feminism.eserver.org/gender/cyberspace/gender-differences.txt

In a feminist’s perspective, they argue that cross-gender communication qualifies as a form of intercultural communication and offers advice on how to develop effective intercultural communication skills when speaking across genders.  Being that it is a feminist website, there is an interesting explanation as to the unequal treatment amongst women.  An alternative framework for analysis is also presented for debate.

Feminist Philosophy of Language

http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/feminism-language/

I found this site interesting to review, since it is also another site which deals with a feminist perspective.  There are specific examples as to how our language used today allows females to be invisible.  This site also focuses on the male’s “worldview.”

My Home Page:

www.soc.hawaii.edu/leon/409bf2006/bulda/bulda-home.htm

Class Home Page:

www.soc.hawaii.edu/leonj/leonj/leonpsy25/classhome-g25.htm