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.
I’ve recently found myself in a place where traditionally female discourse is a little more prioritized than in other friend groups I’ve participated in. Over the course of the pandemic, I’ve participated in a Discord server (it’s really just a platform for chatting) with maybe ten of my friends. It might be because the server is run by a friend of mine who is female, or because all of the women on there with me are pretty unabashedly committed to being themselves in whatever circumstances they land. Everyone, dudes included, often finds themselves engaged in conversations about feelings and interpersonal frustrations and problem-solving.
Might also be because this is during the pandemic, and it’s the main outlet for these types of things.
Conner
Hi Tia, thank you for pointing out this deep-rooted problem, and the interview also made me feel uncomfortable! It reminds me of something happened just several days before: I was on the plane sitting next to the emergency exit, and before it took off, one flight attendant walked to me. Finding I was a female, she turned to the man sitting 2 seats away from me and saying, “Excuse me sir, I hope you could listen to what I am going to say since I don’t think she could hold the door on her own…” Then she told us how to open the emergency exit when something happened. Though I know she is right, she has the responsibility to protect the whole plane and to choose the “suitable” person to guard the door, I was still a little bit disappointed when she said “I don’t think she could…” Oh, madam, you don’t have to speak it out😂
The long imbalance of strength between male and female leads to today’s situation, form my point of view. And just like you mentioned,”, women tend to favour standard language forms”, I also noticed that women are more careful with their wording and talking, since they may be criticized if they don’t sound “feminine”. “You don’t sound like a girl!”, “How could it come out from a girl?” “No talking, it is men’s business.”…In some people’s eyes, female are fragile and need to be protect, so accordingly, female should be submissive and a good listener during the conversation.
And for the non-binary concept, it is a good proposal! I think I would like to begin with defeminizing in my class: never stressing on the girl labels, never associating girls with fixed images and never saying something like “since she is just a girl”…
Anna