Two Introductory Video Lectures
Please view both of these lectures, making notes and comments that you may wish to discuss among yourselves in the learning platform. Are the lecture contents in line with the evidence provided by Jennifer Coates in Women, men & language?
About Women, Men & Language By Jennifer Coates
Using a range of research methods within sociolinguistics Coates provides an overview specific grammatical and phonological features within language & gender research. She also covers aspects of conversation such as compliments or swearing.
Part 1 (Overall Introduction)
Presentation of the key areas of language and gender research. about linguistic variation related to the speaker's gender. Coates relates these linguistic differences to the social roles assigned to women and men in society, detailing preconceptions about gender differences in language through historical background. Part 2 (Sociolinguistic evidence) In chronolgical order, Coates overviews sociolinguistic evidence of gender differences in language and gender related reasearch as it has developed. These include quantitative studies, the concept of social networks, women's and men's linguistic behaviour while communicating, how certain conversational strategies can be used to achieve dominance in talk, and finally single-sex talk. |
Part 3 (Causes and consequences)
Jennifer Coates provides details in an attempt to provide background cause by looking at the development of gender-differentiated language in children. She also describes the nature of linguistic change and how different gender roles influence and affect changes. Finally the consequences of gender differences in language (especially in the school and at the workplace) are described. The aim here is to understand to what extent women might be disadvantaged in these contexts. Part 4 (Looking to the future) An overview of recent developments and about the shape of language and gender research in the future. |