Round table discussion in Zagreb, Croatia

[Mislava Bertosa]

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
 
Language transgression of the binary: articulating one's own voice and 
resisting the dominant discourses

Zagreb, Croatia, Oct 7, 2005.


There is a long tradition within linguistics of studying the relationship 
between language and gender in spite of great differences in approaches 
and methods, both in terms of history and in the works by different 
authors during certain periods of time. Having started with 
studying "differences in language of men and women", most often in non-
Western cultures, and continuing with describing the characteristics of so-
called “women’s language”, this field has only recently included in its 
scope of interest the language of gender-variant (non-female and non-male) 
and non-heterosexual persons. This has, among other things, enabled a 
theoretical shift from studying ways in which language reflects gender 
identities towards studying ways in which human beings use language as the 
means of performance and construction of gender identities, or, from the 
reverse perspective, a shift from understanding identity as a source of 
language behavior towards understanding identity as an effect of language 
practices. Among studies dealing with these topics, the most numerous 
texts pertain to lesbians and gay men, while the language of people whose 
gender identities transgress the dominant binary model, although a 
promising field of research, has not been sufficiently studied. It can be 
expected that this field will in the future take a central position in the 
domain of studying the relationship between language and gender, although 
a wide range of epistemological questions will arise about distinguishing 
language and gender studies from related disciplines (the field of 
language and sexuality, queer linguistics, GL linguistics, etc.), and 
about the need for distinction in their terminology. Furthermore, this 
will raise the issue of defining these studies in relation to those 
disciplines whose models and approaches are being taken over in their 
analysis (discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, pragmatics, 
anthropological linguistics, etc.)

1 Trans/interdisciplinary and epistemological questions:
the field of language and gender – the field of language and sexuality – 
feminist linguistics – GL linguistics – queer linguistics; their relation 
to sociolinguistics, social semiotics, anthropological linguistics, 
socially oriented discourse analysis, conversation analysis.


2 „Dominant“ discourse:
a) institutionalized discourse (medical, legal, political, journalistic
): 
discourses on transgender, intersexuality, transsexuality (“rhetoric of 
illness” vs. “rhetoric of right to a choice”, calls for reexamining the 
binary sex model), unspoken identities, labeling, discrimination and 
transphobia (derogatory terms, stigmas), characteristics of desirable 
language behavior in handbooks/guides for FTM and MTF persons. 

b) everyday language usage and slang: language construction and expression 
of (in)equality (solidarity vs. superiority), harassment (insults, jokes, 
teasing), collective nominations (strategies of mutual empowerment, and as 
a consequence violating the right to freedom of expression).


3 Reverse discourse/discourse of resistance: 
language construction/creation and expression of gender/sex identities 
that transgress the boundaries of the dominant binary model, language 
managing/behavior of persons who transgress the dominant sexed/gendered 
system, slang, language performances of drag kings and drag queens, 
introducing changes in language/adjusting language to one's own language 
and communication needs.


4 Language performances and construction of non-male and non-female 
identities in societies that recognize greater gender diversity.  

Round table discussion is a part of Transgressing Gender Conference: Two 
is not enough for gender (e)quality, Zagreb, Croatia, 7 - 9 October 2005.
More information on:
http://www.tgenderzagreb.com/ann.html