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Gender language differences

 Explanations > Gender > Gender language differences

Men's language | Women's language | See also

Sociolinguistics is a field of study that reviews how language varies within social groups and strata. Here are some of the key findings about how men and women use language differently.

Men's language

Crawford (1997) notes the three main objectives of male speech as:

1. To assert one's position of dominance.
2. To attract and maintain an audience.
3. To assert one's self when another person has the floor.

Mulac et al (2001) note that men tend to use language that reflects a more dominant and certain position. They identify:

Poynton (1989) noted that men, in comparison with women:

• Use more slang.
• Swear more often.
• Use fewer intensifiers.
• Use fewer adjectives.

Women's language

Crawford (1997) notes the three main objectives of female speech as:

1. To create and maintain relationships of closeness and equality.
2. To criticize others in acceptable (indirect ways).
3. To interpret accurately and sensitively the speech of other females.

Mulac et al (2001) note that women use language that is more cautious and concerned not to offend or put the woman an embarrassing situation. They identify:

Poynton (1989) noted that women:

• Are generally more polite in their speech (though are no different in sincerity).
• Use politeness markers such as 'please' and thank you'.
• Use super-polite 'multiple modalities' such as "I was wondering if you could possibly just do me a small favour, if you wouldn't mind".
• Tend to use tag questions.
• Use more intensifiers.
• Use more adjectives.
• Use euphemisms rather than swearing.

See also

Women's language

Crawford, M. (1997). Talking difference on gender and language. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications Inc.

Mulac, A., Bradac, J. J., & Gibbons, P. (2001). Empirical support for the gender-as-culture hypothesis: An intercultural analysis of male/female language differences, Human Communication Research, 27, 121-152

Mulac, A. (1998). “The Gender-Linked Effect: Do Language Differences Really Make A Difference?” In D. Canary and K. Dindia (eds.) Sex Differences and Similarities in Communication: Critical Essays and Empirical Investigations of Sex and Gender in Interaction. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Poynton, C. (1989). Language and gender: Making the difference. Walton Street, Oxford: Oxford University Press.