gender and language

[Erez Levon]

I am happy to see the problematizing of gender proceeding throughout this
discussion. I agree with much of what has been said, particularly the need
to explore the different social and discursive environments in which men's
and women's speech are studied (e.g., Freed 1996, and all of the Rethinking
Language and Gender Research volume). I would like to throw another log on
the fire, and that is the issue of sexuality. Much of the work that has
been done on feminine vs. masculine speech has equated masculinity with
men, and generalized the use of non-standard features as a solidarity
building, covert prestige item for men. This does not necessarily hold up
for gay (queer) men and women. I think we need to examine not only where we
are studying men and women and which men and women we are studying, but
also the assumptions we bring with us regarding men and women and the
social ideologies to which they adhere. Short list of references: Language
and Masculinity (Blackwell 1997); Queerly Phrased (Oxford 1997);
Reinventing Identities (Oxford 1999).

Erez
_____________________________________________

         Erez Levon
         NYU Linguistics 719 Broadway Fifth Floor NY NY 10003
         tel: 212 998 3532       email: EML246 at nyu.edu

         Liberation begins with language. - Grace Sims Holt