2). Do you agree that men and women use language differently? In what areas?
I think the rule is "Men and women use language differently" but of course there are exceptions to every rule. Our text states that men use language that is more task-oriented, while women use language that is more relation oriented. This could be true however, is not to say that one of each gender may be able to do the other.
I think men and women use languages differently when speaking in large groups. I feel that despite common belief, men are the ones who talk a lot about themselves where as women are more sensitive to this. What I found interesting from our text was that men interrupt women more than women interrupt men. Also, I learned from another class that while it seems as though women bring up more topics in a given conversation, more topics raised by men are sustained.
Another area where I agree that men and women use language is through comedy. As stated in our text, men offer more jokes than women, and also laugh more than men do.
I also think that women are more proper or polite than men. This is proved in our text when it states the difference in grammatical constructions. Women seem to use phrases that allow them to appear like they are aware of what they are saying
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Hi Janejolie--
ReplyDeleteI love how everyone is writing about this question because I have so much to say about it! However, I won't bore you with my useless comments. Just like what I said on Aquarian's page, I loved the quote, "men are from mars, and women are from venus". Women see things different from men which is the main reason why they are different. I believe that women are a bit more serious in the sense that they want perfection as where men just like you said, offer more jokes. For example, when my boyfriend and I argue, he always finds a joke to put into the argument because he finds that laughing is the cure to all. I on the other hand see is differently and have to explain what my feelings are rather than simply displaying them in a useless joke. We live in such a strange world!
This has to be one of the most interesting and controversial questions thus far. I enjoyed reading your post this week although I might not agree with Goober's comment. Regardless of what the text might say about how men and women use language differently and how it generalizes different communication between sexes, I have to agree, just a little, that sometimes men and women use language differently. The reason for this phenomena has to do with upbringing and how our world creates differences in our social identity. But lets face it, everyone uses language differently, not just men and women. Men are not from Mars and Women are not from Venus. Instead of dividing men and women people should accept the fact that although we might use language differently in some situations, and it might seem that we are different; we are all from the same planet. Books and quotes that divide sexes only do the world harm by creating barriers between men and women. So my answer to the question, do men and women use language differently? Yes, because of social identity and because not every person communicates in the same way.
ReplyDeleteHi JaneJolie! Do you think the differences are culturally specific? Have you experienced any other cultures where you feel like language is used differently than it is in American culture?
ReplyDeleteAlso, you mentioned that men interrupt more in conversations than women do. Have you personally experienced this? If so, in what relationships is it most noticeable? :)
Hello Jane,
ReplyDeleteI've read the text on this topic, and though I did find some points fishy, the author was direct on with most of the points about the differences between men and women.
To comment on Profesor Perez' post, when a friend of mine that's a female and I have a serious conversation, I may interrupt her to make the conversation a bit lighter. I don't do it on purpose nor is that my intention, but I feel like it's almost natural instinct.
Good job on the post!
I think it also has to do where men and women grew up and how they are raised. Women in New York might be very much more outspoken and not shy away from speaking their mind even if they come off as obnoxious or rude, but women in Japan might be very shy and reserved around men and or women.