Understanding Gender Differences through Analyzing the Variant Usage of Language by Male and Female: A Sociolinguistic Study on the Bangladeshi Tertiary Level Students

Authors/ Publisher: Emrana Bari

Abstract:

Background

With the development of sociolinguistics, language and gender study in some specific contexts needs to be conducted.

Objectives of the study

This study examined the gender differences through analyzing the language differences and finds out the social factors working behind the variation of language among the tertiary level Bangladeshi students.

Methods

A small-scale, quantitative survey on the gender differences in language use was conducted among the tertiary level students of four universities (public and private) in the northern part of Bangladesh.

Summary of findings

This study found significant gender differences in language use based on the conversational analysis of male and female students focusing on their distinctive speech act, choice of vocabulary,   sentence construction, turn taking, use of hedges or fillers, conversation lead, etc. Multiple factors were found behind the variation of language used by male      and female students; gender is one of them. Moreover, gender is culture specific. This study also showed that a particular society’s power relation between two genders, economic structure, social norms, and beliefs have an impact on shaping the language of men and women.

Contribution and implication

This study will help female to recognize the factors that subconsciously build their perspective which are reflected in the language they use. This study will play a significant role in the arena of linguistics, sociology, and especially in feminism for various reasons.