language and society

Your name
Professor’s name
Course name
Date of submission
Language and Gender
Abstract
Using two publications, the paper will examine the relationship between language and gender. The importance of language will be demarcated while analyzing these differences between males’ and females’ diction. The paper will explore various approaches that bring about the connection between language and gender. There is no society without the incorporation of language and gender. The paper will delve further into each approach; attempting to understand the role of language in defining gender roles. It also offers enlightenment about the varied differences in human beings and their diction. The incorporation of language rules and regulations affiliated with each gender heightens the prevailing nature of inequalities. In this paper, analyzing the cultural approach portrays the necessity of cultures and values in understanding language and gender. They are both affected greatly by culture hence, as covered in the paper, it is impossible to separate them from one another.
The paper also details these differences in speech and offers information about their prevalence. Power, domination and submissiveness are some of the issues discussed in this paper; as influencing the relationship between language and gender. It will offer an in-depth exploration of the consequences arising from understanding the scope of language from the perspective of gender. In the paper, readers learn the existence of sexist diction and language.

Men are classified as superior folk in different sectors of the society. Finally, the conclusion reiterates the importance of this connection between language and gender. They cannot exist without one another because of the great influence of gender roles in understanding the tenets of language, as will be discussed in the paper.
Language and Gender
Language is an important feature in the society because it assists people to communicate with one another. In addition, it also strives to strengthen the relationships among human beings in various societies. Sociolinguists, in examining the relationship between language and society, have delineated differences in the language used by males and females. Exploration of language and gender is a clear indication of the prevalence of these cultural distinctions between men and women. Specific approaches in sociolinguistics reiterate the variations in language apropos of gender.
As both language and gender are essential parts of society, they cannot exist without one another. Gender acquires its characteristics and attributes that are often disseminated through socialization; a process involving language. People in a community strive to understand one another’s cultures and values by indulging in various activities that involve communication. The inevitability of gender and language in a society is also a representation of their relationship. Socio-linguistics and gender studies delineate the existence of different approaches that reiterate roles of gender in language. Apart from biological approaches, others are classified under cultural, social-constructionist ones. The power and dominance approach, focusing mainly on human identity, is requisite in showcasing the ways that individuals utilize language (Tanaka 23).
In examining language and gender, the biological approach is utilized in understanding the speech behavior separating men from women and vice versa. Speech is a requisite feature in the dissemination of messages through language. The characteristic features of male and female voices are different thus; it is expected for them to utilize languages in a different manner. Research delves deep into the distinctions in voice frequencies, depicting that females’ voices are quite high in comparison to males. As a result, it may be concluded that the former employs staunch and affirmative language in passing their messages to other parties. A biological approach, therefore, accentuates the notion that men and women dispense their messages using distinct diction.
Aside from this, sociolinguists have observed the relationship between language and gender while analyzing the cultural approach (Tanaka 23). They managed to explore the personalities of females and males in an attempt to reiterate their differences approaches apropos of language. When women are conversing, they often use their language in the midst of small groups. They aim to achieve qualitative results through creating an intimate bond with these few individuals. Women, unlike men, utilize language to bring about progressiveness in the society. They are more focused on spreading equality, intimate relationships and loyalty, among other positive matters. Digging further into the topic, it is salient that females use language as a tool of progressing in the society. These small groups formed by women are useful in ensuring that there is no room for societal destruction using language and speech.
The cultural approach, unfortunately, places males on the derogatory end regarding their affiliation with language. Fore mostly, they thrive in larger groups than women. These gatherings often influence their thoughts and language process in negative ways. According to sociolinguists and research, males are better placed in situations that challenge their power and control. They do not use language to bring about equality or progressiveness in their societies. In disseminating their language to external parties, men are often concerned with praise, victory and success. The difference in their language use is clearly noted through the portrayal of different behavior from males and females. While women strive to delineate submissiveness, their male counterparts are bent on ensuring their domineering nature. They strive to ensure that it is not tainted by using language that may be considered inferior in the society.
According to men, their language is more advanced than the language spoken by their female counterparts. It is, therefore, inevitable to know that the messages and ideas dispensed by them are also different. Culture is, in fact, the primary starter and accentuating factor of these disparities portrayed by men and women. When they subscribe to gender roles, they are tempted to integrate the results in their handling of language and communication in the society. Though subtly, the social constructionist approach has also explored the relationship between language and gender. In addition to understanding the differences in female and male speech, the approach focuses on the ways in which language is used. It may be used for communication purposes, to correct mistakes and to depict power and dominance, among others. The social constructionist approach, as the name suggests, examines the role of language in various societies. Language is part of the elements often ensuring that a community is intact and progressive. Even in the midst of the negative speech, it is impossible for individuals to co-exist without a means of communication. Deprivation of language would interfere with the ability of both males and females to interact in a peaceful way.
The power and dominance approach is closely tied to the cultural one. Here, there is an assumption that most societies are patriarchal in nature. Males are clearly dominant in such a scenario because their language is assumed to be better than that of their female counterparts. The approach, in various societies, advocates for utilization of a similar language that does not accentuate the evidence of gender discrimination. When individuals adhere to these suggestions, females do not suffer in the hands of inferiority and vulnerability. Understanding language from the power and dominance approach also strives to improve communication between men and women. It encourages the existence of inequalities due to the prevalence of gender hierarchical systems in these societies.
The approach reiterates that females were forced to use lowly language due to their status in the community. They are not allowed to air their views or dispute the ones that are put across by men. Language, sociolinguists emphasize, is a tool used to depict the prevailing nature of gender roles in societies. It is unfortunate that society uses language to interfere with the ability of women to realize their importance while interacting with these male parties. The power and dominance approach also delves into the different ways that men and women communicated (Talbot 5). There are rules and regulations accorded to them. While males are allowed to utilize techniques such as interruption and dominance in conversations, females should submit and use respectful language (Talbot 5). Since they are given an avenue for speech, it is quite obvious to understand the extent to which language elevated the issue of inequality apropos of gender. The power and dominance approach upholds the male gender; interfering with any chances of upholding women. Language, as per this approach, does not augur well with societal progress due to its derogatory relationship with gender.
Apart from exploring these approaches, it is important to understand the reasons behind these differences in speech. The issue about power should be considered first because of the role it plays in separating males and females. It is unfortunate that these power relations do not allow women to dispute ideas and information posited by men. Language has completely turned women into objects used by men for their satisfaction. As a matter of fact, there are media houses whose print content is endowed with uncouth and uncanny language directed toward women. They are also demeaned in the diction employed by various male politicians; believing that women are not important parties in the society. The issue about males employing interruptive and challenging characteristics is widely known due to the failure of women to stand their ground. Using language, they are susceptible to oppression and poor treatment from these men in the society. Apropos of prestige, research depicts that females are seen to exaggerate their diction in comparison to their male counterparts. Their personality difference is highly responsible for such a turn of events in examining the relationship between language and gender.
Most importantly, however, individuals should take note of the prevalence of sexism in language. A simple matter such as avoiding gender-neutral terms accentuates gender inequalities. For instance; feminists have cautioned people from referring to female actors as ‘actresses’. Such language is believed to demean women by going against the principles of gender neutrality. Constant use of sexist diction has elevated the existence of these gender inequalities while understanding the ways women and men utilize language. It is quite unfair for females to be termed as inferior in societies simply because of stereotypical beliefs. Most people are certain that the acronym ‘Mr.’ is more important than ‘Mrs.’, because the latter is often tied to a man’s name. These females have also allowed themselves to be consumed by the male domineering and controlling nature because of societal expectations.
In understanding the scope of language and gender, it is essential to realize the consequences that arise when women and men use language differently. As observed, it is salient that the issue of inequality and discrimination is a direct result of prying on the integration of gender in language use. Different use of language also creates a rift between these genders in the society. They are unable to interact and socialize with one another due to the boundaries created in their communicative processes. In such a scenario, therefore, individuals are forced to simply interact with members of their gender. These instances are derogatory because they drive these males and females to resent one another.
Sociolinguistics and research clearly portray the relationship between language and gender. Men and women, in addition to having distinct speech habits, utilize languages for varied purposes. The former strives to showcase their power and dominating nature in the society. Women, on the other hand, are affiliated with intimacy and nurture thus, they use language as a tool of bringing about development in the society. Understanding the scope of language also shows individuals that society cannot be progressive without a balance between men and women. When they are given equal opportunities in terms of language, it is impossible to have a balanced society. These challenges are requisite for them to understand their roles, thereby, bringing up better folk in the community. Apart from biological differences, there are various approaches reiterating that men and women utilize language differently.
Works Cited
Talbot, Mary M. Language and Gender. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press, 2010. Print.
Tanaka, Lidia. Gender, Language and Culture: A Study of Japanese Television Interview Discource. Amsterdam: John Benjamins Publishing Company, 2004. Print.