Language and Gender investigation

Deborah Cameron in verbal hygiene (1995) agues with other peoples theories such as Lakoff and Spender theory of gender being power influence , Masculine and male has been unmarked norm in language and female and feminine the marked form. power had believed to be in the unmarked form for example we have unmarked forms such as mangers and ushers and marked forms manageress and usherette


Cameron's idea that there are two different and contrasting languages for men and women, arguing that there is a defecit model approach which means one language is inferior to each other. the context is what matters most in the gender conversation, this will depend on the power of the conversation. the gendered stereotypes of women gossiping and men being strong and silent simply relies on the context for example a casual conversation or a work or education overpowered conversation between genders, such as an occupational context.

language and gender

The presentation of male stereotypes are shown in the text when female character penny says "where do you want me, professor Chadwick?" the subordinate stereotype of the male being in control shows Penny's venerability and power struggle between male and female roles in gender. The representation of occupation has hierarchy between penny being the doctor and Chadwick being the professor, because the professor has a higher role than penny this also ties in with the theory that men have to be the ones in charge and higher up in terms of power over women. this is shown when penny is described as daydreaming about her new boss when the professor was busy at work this supports the stereotype of men working harder than women.