Tia Goodhand
When examining the ways in which conversation emphasizes different language expectations depending on one’s gender, one must also observe the ways in which power dynamics manifest within language.
Van Herk (2017) defines gender as, “socially constructed identity, rather than a biological category” (p.97). Gender is a structure that is, “embedded in all institutions, actions, beliefs and desires that go along with the mapping of language use through communication, interaction and establishment of the social order” (Pakzadian & Ashoori, 2018, p.2).* This article does not consider biological sex, but rather solely markers of gender identity.
Comparing the language use of women and men, women tend to favour standard language forms because the standard is more closely associated with increased status or opportunities for them than for men (Van Herk, 2018, p.105). When examining features of conversation between women and men , “mixed gender conversations tend to be more like men’s conversations, which put women at a conversational disadvantage” (Tannen, 1990,p. 27).
https://www.dropbox.com/s/coygoev748vqrpv/Interruption%20chart%20.png?dl=0
I remember seeing this chart for the first time four years ago in my Introduction to Sociolinguistics course during my undergraduate degree. I was initially shocked by the stark ratio of interruptions and began making an active effort to observe similar instances within my daily life. The societal dominance of men can be observed through these figures. When considering the number of interruptions within an average interaction: men interrupt 96% of the time, whereas women only do 4% of the interrupting. Fewer interruptions made by women, in turn makes it difficult to maintain control of conversation subjects and the associated points of discussion (Van Herk, 2018, p.98).
“Participatory dominance involves restriction of speaking rights, especially through interruption and overlap.” (Pakzadian & Ashoori, 2018, p.4)
Thinking about everyday situations that illustrate and support the data found within the table above, I immediately thought of a Jimmy Fallon interview with Dakota Johnson. In the video attached below, Jimmy prompts Dakota to share a story about her dog being sprayed by a skunk. However, as Dakota shares the story, Jimmy repeatedly interrupts Dakota until she finally says: “Aren’t you supposed to let people talk on this show?” (1.17-1.27) I re-watched the interview noting down each instance in which Jimmy interrupts Dakota in the first minute and a half of the interview, the total: 17 times. *The story continues until (3.40)
What about Non-Binary Individuals?
Considering the gender spectrum, non-binary individuals have “proposed a range of innovative pronouns that they would like other people to use when referring to them” (Van Herk, 2018, p.111). The most common pronoun used within English to accommodate those who identify as non-binary is “they/them”. “They/them” is most frequently used, as it is a pronoun already included within the English pronoun system. Additionally, the term is already used in similar situations (p.111).
As an educator, I actively seek to create a learning environment that is safe and inclusive for all students. One strategy that I implement to do so, is through preferred pronouns. At the beginning of the school year, I ask students to write down their preferred pronouns, discreetly on a post-it. I also ask questions on the post-it such as, may I refer to you using this pronoun in front of the class? To your parents? To other educators?
Reflection Questions:
- Have you experienced a situation in which someone made a comment/acted in a way that perpetuated a toxic gender stereotype? How did you react?
- How can we accommodate non-binary individuals as teachers and/or researchers? What is one strategy that you will actively integrate into teaching/research practices?
References:
Holmes, J., & Wilson, N. (2017). An introduction to sociolinguistics (Fifth, Ser. Learning about language). Routledge.
Pakzadian, M., & Tootkaboni, A. A. (2018). The role of gender in conversational dominance: a study of efl learners. Cogent Education, 5(1).
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. (2018, January 30). Dakota Johnson Was Sneaking Photos of the Stranger Things Kids at the Golden Globes. [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he8KNAiJwqE&t=216s
Van Herk, G. (2018). What is sociolinguistics? 2e Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.
*Images retrieved copyright free from Flickr.
