浅谈语言的性别差异(精选8篇)
1.浅谈语言的性别差异 篇一
【论文关键词】社会语言学 性别差异
【论文摘要】语言性别差异现象是社会语言学研究的重要内容之一。本文从社会语言学的角度论述了英语语言性别差异现象的具体表现,并分析了造成这些差异的原因及相关的社会现象。
1 引言
二十世纪六十年代以来,社会语言学视阈下的语言性别差异研究取得了显著了成绩。一方面,对语言性别差异现象的研究有助于更加合理地解释错综复杂的语言现象,提高语言研究的准确性与科学性;另一方面,它在语言分析的基础上建立起一种性别模式,成功地揭示了性别差异与阶层差异之间的关系,丰富了语言变异理论的内涵。具体来讲,社会语言学视阈下的语言性别差异研究,主要探讨的是说话人因性别差异而做出的在语言形式和表达方法上的选择。而它作为新兴的语言学研究变量,已日渐成为一种社会语言学本体和应用社会语言学研究的参数标识[1]。 社会语言学领域对英语语言性别差异现象的研究涉及了语音、词汇、句法、语言行为与模式、认知能力及言语选择等多个方面的问题。通过对英语语言性别差异现象的研究,有助于我们从分析男女语言特征入手,了解不同性别在英语语言习得方面的异同,以及其语言行为与社会分工、价值观念、文化差异和认知模式之间的联系。
2 英语语言性别差异现象阐释
2.1 语言性别差异在英语语音层面的体现
(1)音质差异明显:从生理学的角度来看,男女的发声器官是有差别的。男性的声带比女性的长,厚,且松弛,这样的差异必然导致了男女性别在音质上有所差异。而英语音质所体现出的性别差异,是一种带有社会标记的语言现象。以鼻音前的原因为例,美式英语中鼻化元音多为男性使用,而口音化元音多为女性使用。从文化的视角来解释,鼻化现象有俚俗粗犷的意蕴,而女性的言谈举止应以优雅得体为宜,故不宜使用鼻化元音。
(2)音域男高女低:音高是指发声时声带振动的频率,因此,声音的高低与声带的大小、粗细、长短、松紧有关。由于男性的声带长且厚,所以发音的平均音高要低于女性。一般而言,男子的声音频率在100-150赫兹之间,而女性的声音频率在200-325赫兹之间。但是,男女平均音高的差值到底有多大,却因研究对象和检测手段的不同很难有一个统一的标准[2]。而且由于社会因素、语言氛围和文化底蕴的影响,在实际语言的使用过程中,女性在讲话时往往会人为地降低调门。但男女性别平均音域的高低确实与其在生理特质上的差异有着自然而然的联系;而语调的变化又与音域的高低有着必然的联系。研究表明,女性在语调上的变化范围比男性更为宽阔,更为经常地使用超高和超低调型,因而使得其音域的变化更富有起伏感。
(3)女性发音相对标准:性别在发音上所造成的差异主要体现为在女性的发音形式比男性更为准确。这一现象在不同的语言、不同年龄阶段的人群中均有不同程度的表现,正所谓“女性比男性更有语言天赋”。在英语里,男性喜欢把动词的-ing形式以-in’的次标准形式表现出来,在发音时更喜欢念成[-in]而不是[-i?],而女性则更多地讲究语言形式上的纯正标准[3]。
2.2 性别差异在英语词汇层面上的体现
(1)女性善于使用色彩词语:语言中关于色彩的基本词汇有:黑、白、红、黄、蓝、绿、灰、棕、橙等。由于不同的色彩会给人带来不同的感受,如冷暖感、胀缩感、距离感、重量感、兴奋感等等,因此各种色彩在语言中具有不同的象征意义。一般认为,女性对于色彩词汇的习得能力强于男性。1981年,Nowaczyk以约克大学的学生为试验对象,以色彩配对和色彩描述为主要内容,分别作了两次性别与色彩语码选择的关联性试验。在进行20种色彩的配对测试时,女学生能够准确写出71%的色彩名称,而男学生只能写出46%;在对五组相近的色彩进行描述时,63%的女学生能够描述出具体的色彩差异,而男学生只有40%完成这一任务。除此之外,研究结果还表明,女学生使用复杂色彩语码的机率也远远高于男学生。
从审美学的角度来看,女性的色彩识别能力强于男性,是因为他们对美的外在形式的感受比男性深刻。因此,女性对色彩有一种天生的认知优势。而基于这种优势,使得她们不仅拥有比男性更为丰富的色彩词库,还在色彩感知系统、色彩分类以及色彩语义的心理表征方面都强于男性。久而久之,女性就比男性更为频繁地使用色彩语汇,以及更为准确地描述色彩。
(2)女性偏好使用情感词语:社会语言学的研究表明,女性在言语活动中喜欢使用诸如语气词、感叹词和夸张词作为情感的表现手段,以使自己的言语带有浓厚的情感色彩。布龙菲尔德认为,诸如oh dear, dear me, gracious, goodness之类的感叹词大都见于女性的言语中。
男性和女性表达情感的方式不同。女性比男性更易于产生情绪波动,也更易于受情绪的感染而影响自己的言语行为。因此,在交谈中,女性对情绪的控制力不如男性,更易于动情,也更易于通过言语表露情感。据统计,女性使用感叹词的频率是男性的两倍。
另一方面,女性比男性更多地使用形容词和副词加强语势,强势词语的高频出现,是女性英语的一个显著特征。科伊认为,女性不仅比男性更为经常地使用诸如so, much, quite这样的词语,更喜欢使用very very, so so这样的重叠词来加强语势,而男子却只会在不含感情色彩的情况下使用强势词。
2.3 性别差异在英语话语层面上的体现
(1)女性言语风格更为婉约:奥斯卡•王尔德说过:“妇女是妩媚动人的,她们可能从来不想说什么,但是她们一旦说起来却是足以使人销魂荡魄。”女性言语风格的委婉文雅与其独特的社会心理特征不无关系。长久以来的礼仪习俗将女性的社会印象定位为温柔娴静,言乖意巧,这就使得女性必须时刻注意自己的言行举止,必须使用文雅规范的语言,否则将是缺乏修养的表现。因此,在这种社会氛围下,女性的言语往往都是柔声轻语,彬彬有礼。而一旦有女性的言语像男性一样直言不讳,声大气粗,则必然会受到旁人的轻视与不齿。
另一方面,男女心理发展特征特点对其语言的使用也产生了一定的影响。在青春期以前,女性的心理年龄比男性要大一至两岁,这就使得女性在理解人际关系以及其社会心理的形成方面要比男性成熟得早。到了青春期以后,男性敢于冒险、坚决果断的性格日渐体现,而女性则日趋温柔纤弱、心思细腻。这些不同的心理特征决定了男女在言语风格方面必然会存在一定的差异,尽管这些差异并不是绝对的。
(2)男性言语更为简洁直接:美国社会语言学家鲁宾莱考夫曾说过:女性的话语要比男性的听上去客气得多。一方面,这是由男女的言语风格所决定,而另一方面则是因为女性在表达方式上不及男性自信。比如,女性在表达观点时总喜欢以“You know”, “I think”, “I guess”或者 “I’m not sure”等开头,而 “Do you think so?”和 “Would you please…?”等形式更是为女性所常用。研究发现,即使某些女性对自己所说的内容相当有自信,她们仍然会表现出不自信或者犹豫的样子。而与之相反地,男性则喜欢直截了当地表达自己的意愿与想法,他们不喜欢迟疑和犹豫的表达方式。此外,研究表明,男女在祈使句的使用方式上也表现出了一定的不同。女性在表达祈使时,喜欢采用复杂句或者问句的方式,而男性则喜欢简洁、不加修饰的句型。比如,同样是要求对方关小收音机的音量,男性一般喜欢用 “Please turn down your radio.”来表达,而女性则会说“Would you please turn down your radio?”或“Will you please turn down your radio?” [4]
3 英语语言性别差异现象的成因
社会语言学认为, 语言作为一种社会现象,它无时不刻不在反映着社会。因此,从这个角度来说,语言性别差异现象源于一系列生理和心理、社会与文化的因素。长久以来,男女在社会分工上的不同,使男性被看作是家庭的主人和社会的中心,掌握着支配权,在社会体系中处于主导地位。与之相反,女性则处于柔弱、 依赖和从属的地位。而语言性别差异现象则如实地反映了这一社会现实。
另一方面,语言作为文化的载体是社会意识的重要组成部分,同时也是文化的具体表现形式。在大多数传统文化中,人们期望女性养成温柔、感性和善良的性格,期望男孩成为坚强、冷静和果断的人。而基于这一出发点,社会对男性和女性的说话方式及言语行为也就提出了不同的要求。有语言学家认为,男女两性成长在不同的社会语言亚文化背景下,他们从小就要学习与自己性别相适应的行为举止和交际方式,这种文化背景则是语言性别差异现象的重要因素之一。
4 结语
需要说明的是,我们讨论语言性别差异现象并不是要严格地划分男女语言的界线。事实上,没有哪一种语言特征是完全属于女性所有, 哪一种语言特征是男性所专用的。我们所探讨的是在概率上哪种语言特征男性使用的多, 哪种女性使用的多。我们所讨论的男女的言语差异, 除了反应出男女个性的差异外, 更多地反映了男女的社会角色差异及整个社会对男女的态度与言行标准的不同。随着社会的不断发展,男女在职业、教育程度及社会地位方面的差异会不断地缩小,语言中的性别差异现象也将逐渐地减少。
参考文献
[1] Fasold,Ralph.The sociolinguistics of language [M]. Cambridge: Blackwell,
[2] Loveday, l.Pitch, politeness and sexual role: an exploratory investigation into the pitch correlates of English and Japanese politeness formulae. Language and Speech, 1981(24):71-87
[3] Fisher, John. Social influences on the choice of a linguistic variant. Word, 1958(14):47-57
[4] Lakoff, Robin To lmach. Language and women’ s place [J] . Language in Society, 1973(4).
2.浅谈语言的性别差异 篇二
That there are differences between the sexes is hardly a matter of dispute.On account of the differences between their physiological features and the superiority and inferiority in social activities,men and women are differentiated from each other in individuality,value image and status,which give rise to variations in their language styles and language uses.The societal implications of these differences lie in the different roles men and women play as well as the different status they enjoy.
2 Speech Differences between Men and Women
With the impetus of the women's movement in the last two decades and its questioning of male and female roles has come a rapidly growing literature on language and gender.Some investigators have found in both experimental and naturalistic studies that there are substantive phonological,lexical and grammatical differences in the nature of language used by men and women,as well as differences in conversational styles or linguistic modes of interaction.
2.1 Phonological Differences
The most detailed evidence of sex differences in western societies exists at the phonological level,with most data coming from quantitative studies of varieties of urban American English.Research involving a variety of populations in the United States has found,for example,that females are more likely to use certain phonetic forms--such as the–ing of talking as opposed to–in of talking--which more closely approach the standard language or have higher prestige.
2.2 Differences in Intonational and other Supersegmental patterns
2.2.1 Intonation
Researchers have proposed that there are intonation patterns that unique to women(and that connote insecurity),or are differently preferred by men and women;for example,women are more likely to use both the surprise pattern of'Oh that's awful'and the polite cheerful pattern of'Are you coming?'.Another feature which has been associated with women is the use of a high rising tone at the end of an utterance,especially when making statements,which makes it sound as if a question is being asked.This was seen as an indication of women's tentativeness and lack o confidence in putting forward their views.
2.2.2 Pitch
Similarly,there are differences in pitch between groups o men and women.It is suggested that the differences between male and female formant values,though related to vocal-trac size,are probably a linguistic convention.That is to say,these differences must be attributed,at least in part,to differentia modifications of the articulatory apparatus to produce sound patterns corresponding to male and female stereotypes.Men tend to talk as if they were bigger,and women as though they were smaller than they actually may be.There is also evidence from recordings of conversations and oral reading that men may vary voice pitch less,resulting in more monotonic,less expressive speech.Social convention appears to play a role here also,since men are evidently capable of producing intonation patterns with wider pitch range than they usually reveal when conversing with adults.Evidence comes from input studies showing that fathers will use dramatically exaggerated intonation patterns to young children.
2.2.3 Loudness and Speech Fluency
Men speak with a greater average intensity than women in interpersonal communication,although both sexes speak with greater intensity to a member of the opposite sex than to a samesex listener.Women,however,apparently compensate for the occurrence of external noise by raising their vocal intensity more than men do.With regard to verbal fluency,women display greater grammatical competence and sentence complexity,and fewer speech disabilities of all types,from an early age.
2.3 Lexical Differences
Women are more sensitive and give exact name for colour Words like beige,ecru,aquamarine,lavender,and so on are unremarkable in a woman's active vocabulary,but absent from tha of most men.Lakoff(1973)has pointed out that it is much more common,at least in the United States,for a woman to use precise color terms like mauve and lavender than for a man,who most likely will call these shades purple;her(his)claim is that men are unlikely to incorporate such terms into their vocabularies because they consider fine discriminations of this sort trivial,irrelevant to the'real world'as they know it.
Aside from specific lexical items like color names,we can also observe women's use of particles that grammarians often describe as"meaningless"(such as'Oh,dear','Goodness')as opposed to the stronger expletives used by men(Damn!).Women usually use fewer profane and obscene expletives than men do.Women also use politeness markers and greetings in their speech more often than do men,including thank you and good-bye.
Similar sorts of disparities exist elsewhere in the vocabulary。For example,in addition to their specific and literal meanings,some adjectives also show the speaker's appreciation and affection for something.Some of these adjectives are independent of sex,that means both men and women may use them,but another group is,in its metaphorical use,probably confined to women's speech.Here are some representatives of both types:
Similarly,a woman can talk about'my girlfriend'and'my boyfriend'in relation to herself,but men can use only'my girlfriend'in this way.Numerous other examples of this lexical differentiation can be found in English.
2.4 Syntactic Differences
When we leave the lexicon and venture into syntax,we will discover that women's speech is also syntactically peculiar.Certainly there is no syntactic rule in English that only applies to women's speech,but there is at least one rule that is more often used in conversation by women than by men.That is the rule of tag-question formation.
The usage and the syntactic shape of a tag in English is between an outright statement and a yes-no question.Compared with the former one,it is less certain and compared with the latter one,it is more affirmative.One makes a statement when one has confidence in his knowledge and is pretty certain that his statement will be believed;one asks a question when one lacks knowledge on some point and has reason to believe that this gap can and will be remedied by an answer by the addressee.A tag question,being intermediate between these,is used when the speaker is stating a claim,but lacks full confidence in the truth of that claim.By a tag question,A speaker can make an assertion without appearing to be dogmatic leaving open the possibility that others may not agree.It can also be used to check whether one's ideas are accepted,or to put forward a suggestion without making it sound like a command.
Many researches claim tag questions are more often used by women because they were characteristic of the greater hesitancy of women,who are afraid to assert things without qualification.
2.5 Differences in Pattern of Communication and in Style of Speaking
Men tend to challenge one another.Women,on the other hand,do not value aggressiveness and their conversations tend to be more interactional and aim at seeking cooperation.They agree with others and want to be agreed.Women can discuss one topic for more than half an hour,sharing feelings and talking about relationships.Men,however,like shifting from one topic to another and talking about their achievements instead of their feelings and personal affairs.)
The management of conversations are also different between men and women.Women try to avoid confrontation while men prefer to talk and interrupt.Women are careful to respect each other's turns and tend to apologize for talking too much.They dislike anyone dominating the conversation.Men compete for dominance,with some men talking a lot more than others.They don't feel a need to link their own contributions to others.Instead,they are more likely to ignore what has been said before and stress their own point of view.
2.6 Differences in'Content of Talk'
Turning to the content of same-and mixed-sex conversations,many studies have showed that men talk to each other about politics,business,social problems,sports,amusement and another man,while female conversations were about clothes family,children,personal matter,another man or woman.In mixed-sex conversations,both men and women appeared to accommodate to topics of the opposite sex.
3 Differences between Linguistic Representations of Men and Women
Besides speech differences between men and women,there are also differences between linguistic representations of men and women.In many languages,the man is portrayed as the benchmark for all human beings;he is seen as the norm or referencepoint.The woman,on the other hand,is subsumed to be included in any linguistic reference to the man.The generic function for human agent nouns,including pronouns,is mainly expressed through nouns,pronouns and other linguistic practices which coincide with those referring to male human beings.In many languages,such as English and Chinese,terms in reference to women are always gender-specific whereas terms referring to men have two functions:gender-specific and generic.As a result o the above practice,the woman is largely invisible in language However,if she is visible,her visibility is predominantly of an asymmetrical nature.She is made linguistically"invisible"to show her"deviation"or"exception"from the male form.The linguistic portrayal of women is also one of dependence:grammatical and other features of language often contribute towards a view of linguistic dependency or deviation of the female element on the male.(e.g.deviation of feminine forms from masculine forms)
3.1 Lexical Gaps
The existence of lexical gaps in relation to human agen nouns contributes to the invisibility of women.This is especially the case for nouns indicating professions and occupations.Despite considerable changes in women's participation in the paid workforce,this participation is not yet fully reflected in language.
The absence of female counterparts of prestigious occupations(lawyers,politicians,doctors,etc.)which women cannot easily take part in is obvious.It is the same with highly male-associated occupations such as pilot,sailor,bricklayer and so on.)or from which women were sometimes legally barred.When we refer to a"doctor",unconsciously we will suppose this person to be a male.For example,most people would feel confused at the following description:
"A father and his son are out driving.They have an automobile accident.The father is killed,and the son is rushed to the hospital and prepared for operation.The doctor comes in,sees the patient,and exclaims,"I can't operate on this patient,it's my son!"
3.2 Morphological Asymmetry
Whereas lexical gaps contribute to the invisibility of women,the process of deriving female referent terms from those referring to men contributes to the view that in language the feminine element is treated as secondary and as having a dependent status.For example,the suffixes–esse,-ette were added onto masculine(gender-neutral)base:
3.3 Semantic Asymmetry
There is also semantic asymmetry in word pairs without mark of sex,such as secretary,professional and tramp.Native speakers usually add different meaning to the following nouns:
He is a professional;i.e.he is a member of a respected profession.
She is a professional;i.e.she is a member of the'oldest'profession(prostitute).
He is a secretary;i.e.he works for an organization.
She is a secretary;i.e.she does typing and general office work for a person.
He is a tramp;i.e.he is a homeless person,drifter.
She is a tramp;i.e.she is a prostitute.
Because of the centrality of the"sexuality"feature in describing females,words related to women pejorate or deteriorate more easily than those associated with men.
Words affected by the process of deterioration and semantic shift,such as"woman","wife","lady","mistress","queen","girl","madam",can be found in a number of languages including English.Researchers have found that the cause of the debasement of such female terms is that these terms bear sexual overtones,thus it is improper to use them in their original meaning.Therefore these terms are abandoned in their original context and new words are wanted to express the original meaning.This is usually achieved by euphemism or semantic shift.Lakoff(1975)takes the use of"lady"in English as an example.Studies show that the asymmetrical use of word pairs such as"girl-boy","gentleman-lady","man-woman"is always the result of connotations of frivolity,sexuality and immaturity which are more obvious in female words than in male words.For instance,in many other languages,the word"girl"and its equivalents can often refer to an adult woman in contexts while the word"boy"cannot mean an adult man.The semantic feature[+young]or[-adult]of the word"girl"is not as important as of the word"boy".Feminists hold that this fact in language gives rise to an phenomenon where women who are"immature"and"childlike"do not have to be taken seriously.
Lately some scholars probe into the sexism existing in writing system,especially the Chinese writing system.It is said that the female racial nǔ[女]appears in many characters associated with behaviours,actions and conditions with negative meanings For example,verbs expressing illicit sexual relations or behavior contain the feminine radical:pín[姘],to cohabit or have illici sexual relations.The feminine radical is also used to refer to other forms of negative or bad behavior:e.g.dù[妒],to be jealous dú[]to slander or humiliate;xián[嫌]to quarrel,hate,suspect xìe[]indecent;wàng[妄]absurd,outrageous,ignorant,stupid and lán[婪]covetous,greedy.
There is no masculine radical in Chinese,only a feminine and human radical.The character for male(man'nán)does no contain a masculine radical.
4 Possible Explanations on Language Differences Related to Gender
4.1 Analysis from Physiological Features
Men and women's pronunciation organs are physiologically different.For instance,women's vocal cords are shorter and thinner than that of men,and its springiness is lower that men.This leads to the differences in value,range and other aspects between men and women.Loveday's investigation(1987)shows that the highest audio frequency of an American man is generally698hertz,whereas women's is 1108-139 hertz.The audio range frequency of British gives additional remarks.Gimson(1972)claims that the range of women is more expansive.Studies show that range and intonation are relevant.Thus women's physiological traits make it easier for them to use intonation patterns of ups and downs than for men.)
Women are sensitive,subtle,rich in emotions,and emotional.Therefore they are inclined to use emotional words and changeable intonation patterns to express strong emotions.
It is generally accepted that women are more sensitive than men.In conversations,women are good at reading people's faces caring for others,being considerate and showing understanding and sympathy for others.Therefore they often use expressions of hesitation,tag questions and general questions.e.g:
(1)"I guess…"
(2)"That is much cheaper,isn't it?"
(3)"Yes?So much?"
To use"I guess"can gain more time to observe the response of the other side,which may avoid offending others.In pattern(2),it is obvious that the woman feel it is much cheaper.To express this,it is enough to say"This is much cheaper,but women will always take other's idea into account.The tag question"isn't it?"not only show respect for the other side,but offers an opportunity for him/her to voice his/her opinion.This way of expressing is really great.Women usually use general questions to show their lack of steadiness and determination.With lessconfidence,fearing that they may make mistakes,they use rising tone to make room for redemption.
With the development of sexism,women pay more and more attention to self-development and social status.They want to gain dignity and attention through elegant and standard English.Because in such societies,respect can only be achieved through those superficial things.Conversation is an apparent matter,so women hope to improve their social status through it consciously or unconsciously.As time ticking away,their language indeed becomes more and more standard and elegant.)
In the long run of history,men are often respected while women are ignored.In families as well as in the society,men are considered to be superior to women,thus women are tame and powerless.In late 19th century,women gain the right to education in western countries,and in the 20th century,a great number of women enter the work force and get higher social status but compared to men,women's role and power are limited,and their social status are out of proportion to the rapidly growing productivity.Their rights in social activities are less than men and their subordination and dependence do not change much.As the result of this,women are less courageous and confident than men,and their language is more ambiguous and indecisive While in conversation,they do not control the topic and interrup others talk,showing their virtue of a fair lady.
4.2 Analysis from the Ways in which Children Grow up
According to Ronald Wardhaugh,"men's and women's speech differ because boys and girls are brought up differently"As children,women are encouraged to be"little ladies"."High spirits"are expected and therefore tolerated in little boys;docility and resignation are the corresponding traits expected of little girls.Also,there are competing pressures on children from their peers.Boys,in particular,feel they have to talk rough with other boys in order not to be ridiculed.While girls are under the same pressure to fit in with a group,they have to be careful not to go too far or people will judge them negatively.Looking at adults we can see that speech differences between men and women are actually continuity of children's ways of speaking and the management of conversation.
5 Conclusion
There is a close relationship between language and socia reality.On the one hand,language reflects reality.Language structures,patterns and use are influenced and inspired by nonlinguistic reality including social structures and organizations physical features and phenomenon.The way in which language are used and structured has been influenced by the institutions social constructs and ideologies of the communities and societies with which they have become associated.On the other hand,language also helps to construct reality.Language influences how an individual constructs and views reality.Language and society are in a state of constant interaction.
Since the social reality in most societies is one of gender inequality,the language and linguistic practices will in part reflec this inequality.Meanwhile,the'feminine'language women use might also influence their self confidence in the society.The language itself is not discriminating against females.It is the people who use the language that have gender related discrimination.
参考文献
[1]Andersen,Elaine Slosberg.Speaking with Style:The Sociolin-guistic Skills of Children[M].Routledge,1990.
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[3]Labov W.The Social Stratification of English in New York City[M].Center for Applied Linguistics,Washington,DC1966.
[4]Lakoff R.Language and Woman's Place[M].Harper&Row,New York,1975.
[5]Pauwels,Anne.Women Changing Language[M].Addison Wesley Longman limited,1948
[6]Romaine,Suzanne.An Introduction to Sociolinguistics[M].Ox-ford University Press,1944.
[7]Scherer,Klaus R,Giles,Howard.Social Markers in Speech[M].Cambridge University Press,1979.
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3.语言性别差异的认识与超越 篇三
男女性别差异是人类社会的基本差异,针对男女性别差异的所有研究与我们每个人都息息相关。男女两性在语言使用上的诸多差异,是男女性别差异的一种表现,这种差异早在1913年就引起了人们的关注。对语言中性别差异的研究不仅有助于两性语言的研究、社会文化的研究,而且有助于预测语言的发展趋势和了解文化习俗,对构建平等、和谐的语言交际环境有着现实意义。本文从语言性别差异的认识和超越两个方面探讨该问题。
一、认识语言性别差异
1语言性别差异的表现
(1)称谓上的差异。正确、得体地称呼对方是保证交际顺利进行的首要条件。有着几千年封建宗法制的中国社会,对称谓极为重视,将其视为涉及“崇正名号”的大事。汉语的亲属称谓就充分体现了男女有别,而且具有很强的突出男性的意图:父系与母系亲属称谓有宗亲和非宗亲之分.宗亲拥有同样的姓氏。在称谓上以“堂”修饰,如堂兄、堂叔;“堂”是屋舍建筑中家族聚集之地。关系自然紧密;母系亲属则是外姓,以“表”修饰,表兄、表婶。“表”是室外之意,关系就疏远一些。兄弟之子为“侄”,姊妹之子为“外甥”;儿子之子为“孙”,闺女之子为“外孙”;父亲的兄妹为“伯”、“叔”、“姑”,母亲的则称“舅”、“姨”。这些复杂的称谓往往使西方人束手无策。英语中的亲属称谓较汉语要少得多,但也区别男女。英语的亲属以家庭为中心,一代人为一个称谓板块,称父母的上辈为“Grandpa”“Grandma”,称父母的同辈为“uncle”和“aunt”,表示下辈的有“nephew和niece”。西方人之间,如没有血缘关系,对男子统称呼“Mr.”,对未婚女士统称“Miss”,对已婚女士统称“Mrs.”。
(2)命名上的差异。不同民族在命名上也有性别差异,汉语和英语在男女姓名的选词酌句上就存在相似之处。女性的名字一般都选用女性味足、具有阴柔之美的字眼,让人一看名字就知道是女子。西方女性常以花、草为名,英语中Mary、Rose只属于女性,Tom、Jack只属于男性。汉语有着更为丰富的姓名文化。对于女性的命名,也多以花草等蕴涵小巧、带有美感的事物名称为首选,如:香、嫒、菊等.女性的名字像花一样美且有诗意,体现出汉民族对女性美的独特视角。男性则多取自与权利和力量相关的事物,常用的有:刚、强、勇等。姓名的选词直接反映了社会文化对于性别的价值评判标准。女性的纤弱温柔与男性的威猛英勇形成截然不同的风格。从对男女性别上寓意的明显差异可见,社会对男女的期望内容不同.对男性的要求是勇敢、刚毅,能光宗耀祖、建功立业,而对女性则是温柔、贤惠,能相夫教子、孝敬公婆。
(3)内容上的差异。“共同语言”是建立在婚姻和爱情基础上除肢体语言外的一种口头沟通、交流方式,对维护夫妻间情感和营造和睦家庭氛围具有非常重要的意义。由于社会定位、看问题的角度、立场和利益等多种因素的差异,男女说话涉及的内容往往不同。男性热衷于社会话题,喜欢对当前的热点问题发表意见,谈论的是生意经、政治、体育、竞争等;而日常生活中的柴米油盐、张三今天打了儿子等家务杂事,则是女性谈论的话题。男性话语的民族国家大空间和女性感性趣的家庭生活的小空间,虽然并不能说明男性的谈话严肃重要而女性的谈话琐碎无聊,但男女话语内容上的差别如不引起足够的重视,会造成“共同语言”的缺失。进而影响男女双方的情感交流。
在语调的使用上男女两性也有明显差异。女性倾向于使用表示疑问、征询的升调,即便女性对所说话语内容确定不疑,仍会使用表疑问的上升调,而男性常用表示肯定语气的降调。
语言中的性别差异还表现在性别词语的不对等、男性语言泛化等方面,此处不再赘述。
2影响语言性别差异的主要因素
语言是人使用的,人的社会、文化特征必然会在语言使用中得到反映。除男女生理机制、心理、个体的因素外.男女两性所成长的社会、文化环境是形成男女语言差异的最主要因素。
(1)社会因素。语言是社会的一面镜子,语言中折射出来的性别差异并不是由语言符号本身的自然属性决定的,而是特定社会的价值和民族思维方式在语用习惯中的必然反映。语言中的性别差异背后蕴涵、隐藏着深刻而又复杂的两性意识,男女两性自出生之日起,其社会角色与地位就被预设好了,男性始终被告知需具有男子汉气概、要有阳刚之气,要勇于挑战,要做命运的主宰;女性则被提醒要温柔、服从、文静,要严守社会规范。“男性应该怎么样”、“女性应该怎么样”,“我们每个人一出生就生活在一个不断展开的关于性别差异的叙事之中,这一叙事形成并规定我们的角色认同、个人行为、自我观念以及性欲满足的种种可能的范围和可能性”。男女两性观察社会的视角不同、评价标准不同,性别差异通过语言媒介表现出来也是情理之中的。
(2)传统文化观念的影响。语言不仅反映社会传统文化,同时又强化了传统的观念和概念。语言中的性别差异深受文化渊源的影响,中国儒家文化的鼻祖孔子.在两千年之前就给女性作了定位:“唯女子与小人难养也。”西方的基督教文化《圣经》中,亚当与夏娃分别是男人和女人的祖先,夏娃原是亚当身上的一根肋骨——这意味着女人就是男人的附属品。亚里士多德在《动物的起源》中写道“女人是残缺不全的男人”。东西方传统观念对男女两性的不同的评价和文化认同是一致的:男性代表正的一面,是统治、支配的象征,而女性则代表了负的一面.是从属和依赖的象征。“男尊女卑”的文化特征既规范了人的性别特征,又制约了不同性别的人如何使用语言,通过语言这一通道表现出来的女性语言特征就是倾向于接受男性观点;顺从、消极、优柔寡断和不确定;多关注家庭生活琐事;在交际中持配合态度等。“在成长中的儿童缓慢而痛苦地适应社会成规的同时,他的祖先积累了数千年而逐渐形成的所有思想、理想和成见也都铭刻在他的脑子里了”(帕尔默)。传统文化观念是造成性别语言差异的另一个重要原因。
二、超越语言性别差异
古今中外,显现在语言符号中的性别差异总是存在,只有了解和认识了这些差异,才能最大限度地克服性别差异制造的交流障碍,超越差异,促进男女两性的交流和理解。
1性别差异给交流造成障碍的同时。使交流更具挑战性和创造性
人类世界是由男女两性共同组成的,因此在语言结构、思维和文化等方面有许多相同和相通的地方,在“同”的基础上,我们发现和探究差异,同时也在超越差异。这种超越可以从无意识、不自觉的行为,转为有意识、自觉的实践。
2性别差异对语言的影响客观存在,无法避免
我们要正确认识、合理利用性别差异对语言产生的影响,跳出“性别怪圈”,在着眼于男女两性成长的社会亚文化的前提下,从对儿童进行教育始即采取相应措施减少两性间的排斥、支配和骚扰,以肯定女性而非贬低女性的态度正确对待语言中的性别差异,既要考虑到性别差异因素,又不能用传统的观念强化这种差异,在课堂教育中让男女学生识破性别差异背后的文化建构,鼓励他们打破这种文化建构,获得思想上的解放。
3语言有性别差异之分,却无性别优劣之别
男性和女性既是对立的,又应该是和谐的。男女两性因其社会传统文化的差异,具有不同的思维方式。要想在交际中弱化、排除差异障碍,获得交际成功,除了要注重学习、深入了解性别语言差异产生的背景文化,对涉及异性性别歧视的词语应避免使用,尽量使用优雅、得体、礼貌的语言外,还要兼收并蓄对方特色,克服自身弱点,努力适应对方的语言风格,相互尊重,提高社会性别觉悟。更重要的是男性作为社会的主体,要克服以个人所属群体看问题的思维定势,避免在话语中抬高本群体,歧视他群体,培养“男女平等”意识,构建平等、合作、和谐的现代化社会性别。
4处于“第二性”的女性应从信念、智慧、人格全方位历练自己,增强自立自强精神
女性要克服自卑、自疑、自弃和弱者意识,从传统的“男主外.女主内”的性别偏见中解脱出来,把女性群体的命运和时代联系在一起,积极投身社会活动,在以男性为主的社会中拥有话语权,避免人为地强化性别差异。
4.身势语的性别差异与性别原型 篇四
由于性别原型的`影响,男性和女性在身势语的使用上有很大的差异.文章从面部表情、姿势、身体动作和目光接触等方面来探讨两性在身势语使用上的不同.
作 者:李玉兰 张振丽 作者单位:李玉兰(河南科技学院外语系)
张振丽(山东交通学院外语系)
5.大学生认知风格的性别差异 篇五
目的分析比较师范大学生认知风格的特点与性别差异.方法用“迈尔斯-布里格思个性分类指标”(MBTI)和费尔德教授学习风格检测表(ILS)比较了87名男大学生和97名女大学生的认知风格.结果男女大学生的认知风格存在显著的性别差异:①男生在思想和感觉维度占优势,女生在感情和直觉维度占优势;②语言表达方面女生比男生表现出明显的.优势.结论本研究为认知风格性别差异的进一步研究提供了基础.
作 者:彭贤 马素红 李秀明 Peng Xian Ma Suhong Li Xiuming 作者单位:彭贤,Peng Xian(中国.山东曲阜师范大学教科院心理系,273165)
马素红,Ma Suhong(吉林大学,社会心理学系,长春)
李秀明,Li Xiuming(山东肥城市第六高级中学)
6.浅谈语言的性别差异 篇六
信息素养能力在当前社会中是人才必须具备的一类素质,男生与女生由于心理特点以及认识风格的差异而导致信息素养的具体表现也存在着一定的不同。能过对高中男生以及女生信息素养能力的调查展开相应的研究,并找出信息素养能力(信息知识与信息意识)在不同性别中的差异性。
1分析调查高中生信息素养能力
在高中的第二年,学生的信息素养能力已经逐渐定型,对于高三学生来说,由于高考临近,所以,信息技术类别的课程不会再为他们开设。与高二学生以及高三学生对比,高一的学生具有较强的可塑性,他们活泼好动。为此,作者根据高中生信息素养的基本标准作为主要依据,再运用访谈法以及问卷调查法从信息能力、信息知识以及信息意识三个方面对高一学生展开随机调查。此次调查共发放了99份问卷调查表,99份问卷全部收回,有效率为100%。其中男生有48份,女生有51份。就其年龄构成来看,男生有16人为15岁,32人为16岁,女生有19人为15岁,32人为16岁。通过SPSS软件分析,年龄与性别均无明显差异。
1.1信息知识
根据问卷调查,我们发现对于计算机的操作水平,高中男生比女生明显高一些。在所有调查者中,其中男生已经有百分之十五以上的人达到了较高的计算机操作水平,而高中女生则没有一名,差异十分显著。调查他们对于课堂内容的完全掌握情况,男生普遍低于女生,女生大部分都掌握了老师教导的知识内容。
1.2信息意识
根据调查,高一男生以及女生对于信息技术重要性的认识均没有明显的差异,大部分学生都能意识到学习信息技术的重要性。男生与女生相比,女生应用信息技术知识来解决相关日常问题的意识比男生弱,就上网目的来看,无论是男生还是女生都比较偏向聊天与娱乐。而男生运用网络展开学习或者阅读的比例要明显低于女生。
2分析导致高中性别差异在信息素养能力中的具体原因
在此次问卷调查中,我们发现高中男生的整体素养能力要高于女生。但是就老师在课堂上所教授的内容掌握情况来看,女生比男生好。出现这种结果的原因与性别的基本心理特点以及身体构造有关。信息技术属于一类实践性非常强的课程,正是由于这一特性与男生动手能力强、活泼好动的天性相符,因此,从调查结果就能看出男生在信息技术的操作上表现得非常熟练,其信息能力也更加强。而女生由于细心、安静的性格特点在具体的课堂中能够跟着老师的节奏走,所以能基本掌握老师所教授的内容,她们对于理论知识的基本掌握程度要优于男生。
3如何有效培养高中生的信息素养能力
男生与女生由于性别的差异在信息素养能力的具体表现有所不同。为此,老师则需要根据具体情况来对教学进行合理的安排。在展开教学的过程中,老师要对不同性别在认知情感的差异性加以了解,根据学生的认知特性以及性别来选择相应的教学模式。就实际的信息技术课堂来看,男生对于操作知识的接受能力要比女生好,为此,老师则需要根据性别差异对教学任务以及内容进行分配。根据学生们对于信息技能的发展情况来制定相应的教学目标。其次,老师还需要结合学生的具体学习特点来组织合作学习,让学生们能够取他人之长而补自己之短,帮助学生学会找到自己的优点与不足。
对于男生来说,由于他们的实践操作能力较强,为此,他们可以在此方面对女生进行指导,而女生也可以对男生补充相关的理论知识,二者互相帮助,共同进步。老师在安排上机课程的座位时也要根据学生的性别特点进行,女生相对男生来说比较安静细心,而男生则比较好动,如果把男生安排在一起则易出现后扎堆讨论扰乱课程纪律的情况出现。
为此,老师可以把男生与女生混合编排,即把男生分开,让其与女生排在一起,这样不仅对课堂纪律有一定的改善效果,同时还能促进他们之间的.合作学习。但是,排座不能从始至终,还需要定时更换。
此外,高中信息技术老师还可以配合单一性别教育展开教学。一直以来,大家都认为女生在学习理科类的课程与男生相比不占优势,这也使得老师在具体的教学中老师会更加关注男生,从而导致学生的性别差异表现得更加的明显。据研究表明,单一性别高中女生在科学与数学方面比男女混合高中女生的成绩要好。
为此,把学生根据性别分开展开单一性别教育对提升学生的学习信心以及改善其信息素养能力有较大的帮助。对于一些有条件的学校可以选择性的尝试,为信息素养能力的培养创造出新的途径与思路。结束语对于当代人才来说,经济社会要求他们必须具备较高的信息素养能力,但是在我国,大多数高中学校由于升学压力对于信息技术课程还不够重视,这也直接影响了学生们的信息素养水平。在此,我们呼吁全体高中老师必须加强对信息技术课程的重视度,并根据性别的差异来展开教学,从而提升学生的信息素养能力。
引用:
[1]陈璨,张玉梅,吴晓军.性别差异在高中生信息素养能力中的表现研究[J].中国医学教育技术,,03:242-244.
[2]王辅之,罗爱静,谢文照,胡德华.健康信息素养自评量表的编制及其信效度检验[J].中国现代医学杂志,,30:89-93.
[3]胡咏梅,唐一鹏.高中生科学素养的性别差异――基于无条件分位数回归的经验研究[J].北京大学教育评论,2013,04:110-128+188.
[4]唐一鹏,胡咏梅.高中生科学兴趣、科学价值观及科学素养性别差异的实证研究[J].中国人民大学教育学刊,2013,02:98-107.
7.浅谈语言的性别差异 篇七
The relationship between gender and language is a problem which is studied by many experts in different studying fields.And it is concluded that men and women speak in different languages.The task that faces men and women is to learn to know and accept their differences,to avoid taking their differences as personal attempts to frustrate each other.And the first thing they should do is to learn the language of the other sex in order to get along well with each other.It is very necessary to know this gender difference which can help us master language more proficiently and to treat sexism which caused by gender difference objectively.
1 The Representation of Gender Difference in Language
1.1 Gender difference in vocabulary
It is proved that female often like using some exaggerative adjective words in their speech,such as,"cute","divine",etc.Female also like to express with exaggeration,and degree adverbs are their favourite words to strengthen mood in the process of communication,such as"pretty","nice","quite","so","such",etc.
1.2 Gender difference in syntax structure
Generally speaking,male like to show their ideas on something directly,so they often use indicative sentences and imperative sentences to express their requests.Differently,female intended to use yes/no question or tag question.It proved that male and female are dominated in language choosing by a kind of invisible power which makes them be different category.And as members in society,they have no other choices but just obey.
1.3 Gender difference in linguistic communication
First,topic is the focus and content of communication.After investigations to many different people,linguists find that female's topic in conversation is often about personal life,such as family,health,children,self-feeling,foods,housework,and just experiences and problems.1 Men on the other hand,rarely talk about their personal relationships and feelings but"things".This means they tend to talk about politics,economy,religion,sports,etc.
Second,people believe commonly that female is more talkative than male,which is considered as a kind of usual stereotype.But do women talk more than men?It depends on the context.In private interactions women tend to speak quite a lot,especially to other women.While in public settings,especially in the conversation between male and female men are more talkative than women.
1.4 Causes of gender difference
There are two main attempts to explain the gender differences in communication:heredity and environment.Firstly,parts of the language differences are due to genetic makeup.Men rely easily and more heavily on their left brain to solve one problem one step at a time.Women,on the other hand,have more efficient access to both sides of their brain and therefore greater use of their right brain.
Secondly,Language differences are also due in part to social experiences.Generally speaking,in our society boys and men are seen as aggressive,independent and objective.Girls and women are seen as submissive,dependent and subjective.Gender difference of this kind makes men play a dominant and powerful role in society.
2 Sexism in language
2.1 sexism in word forms
The contempt of language to female can easily be found according to the order of words.Generally speaking,the culturally dominant part will be put in the front,for example,father and son,great and small,here and there,etc.But when male and female appear at the same time we usually obey the rule that makes male first,for example,father and mother,men and women,boys and girls.There is just one exception that is"ladies and gentlemen"which is influenced by the custom of western to show the politeness to female.
2.2 How to eliminate the sexism in language
It is the author's position that men and women should be equal but different.Female is just a kind of spicy which is very different from male.It is hoped that the results of sex differences are the diversity and plenty of categories but not the superiority or inferiority,and male and female should be treated equally.With the development of history,language is changing and reflecting people's views of value and society continuously.Feminists in 1970s play an important role in improving the female's status both in language and society.The differences between male and female are reducing continuously.And the real elimination of sexism in language depends on the real equality of male and female in social reality.The reform of language depends on the reform of society.
摘要:性别差异研究是一个非常普遍的研究课题,许多领域都予以重视。了解一些有关性别差异研究的知识对于促进男性和女性的和谐相处具有重大意义。本文就此从词汇、句法、言语交际、会话含义等方面谈论了语言中体现的性别差异,并从词形和词义来两方面来阐述了由此而导致的性别歧视。由此看出,男女在语言使用上反映出的性别差异体现了男女在社会地位上的不平等。
关键词:性别,语言,性别差异,性别歧视
参考文献
[1]Destefano,J.Women's Language[J].Views on Language,1975.
[2]Lakeoff,R.Language and women'place[J].Language in Society,1973.
[3]陈闻.性别文学研究与两性和谐[J].中国教育报,2006.
[4]韦敏.谈英语语言与性别歧视[J].文教资料,2005(17).
8.浅谈语言的性别差异 篇八
【关键词】性别差异 社会语言学 英语
社会语言学产生于20世纪60年代的美国,从20世纪70年代开始在全世界流行起来,先后被很多学者研究。众所周知,相对于男性而言,女性说话较温柔婉约、文雅、礼貌,而男性说话较果断、直接、粗鲁、目的性强,这些差别会导致两性交流上的障碍,所以研究语言中的性别差异是十分有必要的,既可以帮助消除男性与女性之间由语言引发的的隔阂,又可以使两性在语言使用与语言理解方面的误解消除,更好的促进两性交流。另外,本文还将从社会语言学的角度分析产生这些差异的根源,除了有生理原因、文化心理原因还有社会分工和社会地位以及家庭教育的原因。
一、导致性别差异的社会语言学理论依据
语言变体,又称语言或言语变异,是社会语言学研究的核心内容。语言变体意指具有同一社会特征的人在相同的社会环境中普遍使用的一种语言形式。语言变体是一个很宽泛的概念,大到可以是各个地方的方言,小到也可以是单词、句子、段落或篇章等句法特征,只要是有一定的社会分布,就可以说是语言变体。语言变体受到复杂的社会因素的制约,社会语言学对语言变体的研究认为,讲话人的社会阶级(Class)、语言风格(Style)以及社会地位(Status)和社会分工(Division)都是语言变体的重要基础,而讲话人的性别对语言变体也产生着重要影响。语言变体主要包括三个方面:语言的地域变体、语言的社会变体以及语言的功能变体。性别变体属于语言变体中的社会变体。性别变体又包括男性语言变体和女性语言变体。
由于男性和女性性别不同,扮演的社会角色不同,因而承担的社会责任不同,对语言的使用所达到的功能也不同,这就会导致两性在社会交流中产生障碍与误解。从社会语言学的角度来分析两性在言语上的差异以及产生这些差异的根源可以帮助两性尽量消除两性之间的差异和误解,融合两性中的优点,摒弃在交流中展现的缺点,使语言达到功能上的对等,在理解双方差异的基础上促进更好的交流。
二、英语语言中性别差异的表现
1.语音语调的差异。科学调查研究表明,两性在英语语音语调方面存在着显著的差异。语音方面主要表现为女性说话比较谨慎小心,男性说话比较随意直接。例如,在美国密歇根州黑人对英语的使用中,两性对元音后r的发音是不同的。女性使用的概率占到中层资产阶级的90%以上,而男性仅占到67%左右。在美国英语中,使用元音后r音的人大多都是受到过高等教育,拥有一定的社会地位及良好的文化素养的人。由于长期以来女性的社会地位低下对女性心理活动造成的影响,女性更希望通过某种方式使得自己获得和男性平等的社会地位和社会分工,所以使用标准英语是她们认为提高社会地位和社会支持的途径。由于妇女解放运动的兴起,女性权益日益渐增,女性对标准英语的使用更是突出了其社会地位的提升以及其文化素养。
语调方面主要表现为女性说话一般使用征询的语气,句尾用声调,而男性说话比较果断直接,句尾用降调。例如,女性会说:Today is a good day, is not it? 而男性会说:Today is a good day.相比较而言,由于长期的社会地位低下,对女性造成了一定的影响,所以说话用声调并且是请求或劝阻的语气,这是典型的不自信的表现,而男性则认为自己是社会的主题,因而说话比较果断直接,并且通常是用禁止、命令的语气来表达自己的主导与中心性地位。
2.词汇的差异。两性在词汇的使用上也有差异。例如在使用色彩的词语中,女性会使用pink(粉红)、peach(桃红)、rose red(玫红)、scarlet(猩红)等,而男性仅使用red(红色)一词;在表达情感时,女性会使用splendid(壮丽的)、divine(神圣的)、tremendous(巨大的)、goodness gracious(天哪),而男性则使用简单的good(好的)、big(大的);在使用称谓语时,女性会对男朋友使用darling、sweetheart、baby、honey(亲爱的),而男性一般会使用dear;对粗俗语的使用也是男性居多,男性一般会用damn it、shit等,而女性则很少用。这些例句表明女性说话比较温文尔雅,并且善于表达自己的感情,而男性则言简意赅,感情粗犷。
3.语法的差异。语法上的差异主要表现在句式上,女性更可能使用疑问句或请求句。例如,女性会说:I think the flower is beautiful, is not it?或者Please close the door.而男性会说:The flower is beautiful.或者Close the door.女性在表述问题时会以请求、询问的语气,而男性一般会以陈述、命令或禁止的语气。现代社会虽然女性的社会地位在不断提升,但是受到以前男女地位不同的影响,男性认为自己是这个社会的主宰,所以说话时主要以传达主要信息为主,并且更直接、不含蓄。女性说话主要以表达感情为主,委婉含蓄。
4.运用语言的习惯。在运用语言的习惯方面,女性比男性更常使用夸张的语气。例如,当表达一个箱子很轻时,女性会说:This suitcase is surprisingly light.而男性会说:The suitcase is light.女性相比男性而言,更常使用修辞手法。在表述开心时,女性会说:My heart likes a singing bird.男性则会说:I am happy.女性在表达情绪时,更倾向于使用夸张和表达感情色彩的词,这是因为女性相比男性而言感情更加细腻,富有感性。
三、产生差异的根源
1.生理原因。造成性别差异的原因有很多,首先是生理原因。由于男性和女性声带不同,所以发音也不同。男性声带长而宽,女性声带短而狭,所以女性说话比男性高而尖。另外女性使用的音调从高到低来表达丰富的情感,而男性偏向于使用中调,声音低沉,展现稳重的感觉。女性说话轻柔、随和,男性说话沉稳、有时高亢,这虽然是生理原因,但是和心理原因、社会地位以及社会分工是分不开的。
2.社会文化心理原因。由于以前长期的男女地位不平等,社会对男女的期望也不一样,一定程度上造成了男性与女性在心理上的影响以及落差。首先是社会对两性的期望不同,社会期望男性英勇、果敢地承担起无论是家庭还是社会的责任;对女性则期望她们在家照顾家庭,把所有的经历都用在家庭方面。其次是在心理方面,两性对自己的社会分工和社会地位已经认定,所有从心理上已经接受社会对自己的定位。在两性的言语差异方面上,无论是在话题选择还是语言风格都存在差异。在话题选择方面,男性更倾向于谈论和经济、政治、体育相关的话题,说话干净、利落、果断,以凸显男性在日常生活中的主导与中心地位;女性则倾向于谈论和美容、服饰、家庭相关的话题,说话温柔、含蓄、婉约,展现出女性的从属地位。
3.社会分工和社会地位原因。受到传统的社会分工的影响,男性一般被赋予更加繁重的工作,在外打拼,关心国事经济政治,这就使男性承担起家庭的责任,掌握家庭的经济命脉,所以男性不仅在家庭中而且在社会中都处于主导及中心地位,说话更加果断、直接、坚定;而女性主要负责家庭琐事,把心思都用在家庭上,处于弱势与从属地位,因而说话更加委婉腼腆。随着欧洲中产阶级女权主义的兴起,社会提倡男女之间的平等,也就是两性平等,尽量消除两性之间的差异与误解,提倡女性不再依附于男性,社会不再是以男性的意识形态为中心的社会,争取两性平等,自此以后,女性地位有所提高,不再向以前那么低下,社会开始越来越关心与重视女性权益。例如,以前只有“chairman”,现在出现了单词“chairperson”和“chairwoman”。随着全球化经济的发展,现代社会女性地位已经提高,很多在以前只能男性做的工作,在现代女性也可以做并且能力不容小觑。
4.家庭教育的原因。家庭教育也是一个不容忽视的原因。男孩从小就被教育要坚强,跌倒了要爬起来,做一个男子汉,要从小事做起慢慢学会承担起社会的责任,但是对女孩则要求宽松一些,不会对女孩要求这么严格。例如,在装修房子方面,父母会把男孩的房间装修的偏向冷色调,从小就拿卡车、金刚玩具给男孩玩,锻炼男孩气概;把女孩房间装修的偏向暖色调,房间里放很多布娃娃。父母的影响是多方面的,从自己的人生观、价值观、世界观到一言一行甚至具体到像装修房间色调的选择都对孩子产生了非常重要的影响。另外孩子从小也会受到学校的影响,学校也有专门针对男女生设置不同的课程,体育老师也会根据女生情况制定男女生不同的体育课程。
综上所述,我们可以了解到语言、社会以及性别之间有着非常紧密的联系。男女两性在社会中扮演的角色不同,使用的语言不同,运用的语言规律不同,要达到的语言功能也不同。基于社会语言学的角度,也就是从社会学和语言学的角度了解两性语言差异以及导致这些差异的原因,摒弃两性交流中的误解,融合两性交流中的优点,使两性交流更加自如。没有了解障碍的交流不仅是促进两性感情发展的重要因素,也是促进社会发展的重要因素,因而了解两性语言差异是非常重要的。通过本文分析得出,男性在交流中说话更加直接、果断、坚定,在社会中的处于主导与中心地位;女性说话更加含蓄、委婉、温柔,在社会中处于从属地位。但是随着社会的发展,两性地位逐渐平等,女性权益也日益健全,语言差异也在逐步缩小。
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