Theories: Gender and Power
(This section could also be used for Child Language Development)
Gender:
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Theorists:Julia Stanley 1977
Sexual inequality, negative semantic space Muriel Shultz 1975 Gender inequality happens because we are a patriarchal society Anne Bodine 1975 Believes that language is androcentric (male centred) |
Power:
Maxims and Politeness
Howard Giles: Accommodation Theory
It is common that we sometimes converge or diverge our speech without actually knowing that we're doing it. In writing the author of the piece often thinks of their audience and moves their speech towards how they would phrase it to get on more equal terms with the reader so that what they're writing about will be paid attention to more - or perhaps they will diverge their speech here to show their intellect and assert power.
- suggests that we adjust our speech/lexis/grammar to 'accommodate' the person that we're addressing
- convergence - occurs when we move our speech towards the person we're talking to (friendly)
- divergence - occurs when we move outs speech away from the person we're talking to (unfriendly)
It is common that we sometimes converge or diverge our speech without actually knowing that we're doing it. In writing the author of the piece often thinks of their audience and moves their speech towards how they would phrase it to get on more equal terms with the reader so that what they're writing about will be paid attention to more - or perhaps they will diverge their speech here to show their intellect and assert power.
Conversation- Face Theory: Erving Goffman
- There is a 'self-image' (a way we want the world to see us) that makes us present ourself in a certain way
- If we are humiliated or shown up we 'lose face' and we may end up 'shame-faced'
- Positive face: to do with our need to connect to others and be thought well of - supported by others via compliments
- Negative face: our need to be autonomous and not be imposed on by others - supported by people being respectful/apologetic
- Face threatening acts (FTAs): things that challenge or threaten someone's 'face' (self-esteem)
Grice's Maxims
- cooperation between people within speech - all trying to reach a common goal to communicate
- Maxim of Quantity: Take turns during conversation, saying neither too much or too little
- Maxim of Relevance: Needs to be on the current topic, not random, don't disrupt the conversation - the conversation shifts gradually, you can't just drastically alter the course of the conversation
- Maxim of Quality: Be truthful and don't deliberately lie - although 'white-lies' could be used to save face
- Maxim of Manner: Be clear, people need to understand what you're saying
Politeness Strategies: Robin Lakoff
- Don't impose on the other person
- Give opinions/appear to give the other person a choice
- Make sure that the person you address feels good
Politeness Strategies: Brown and Levinson
- Positive politeness: lets the person know they are liked/valued, reducing the distance between speaker and addressee
- Negative politeness: avoid intruding on other people's lives, keeping the distance - show respect