Ling 2400 Essay

338 Words2 Pages
1. How do Eckert & McConnell-Ginet define the phonological level of language? What is an example of a phonological feature that we generally think of as (perhaps stereotypically) signifying a particular gendered way of speaking? (You can either use the example given by the authors or provide your own.) The phonological level of language in the reading is defined as a level of language that structures the units of sound (or of gesture in the case of signed language) that constitute linguistic form. Every language is based on a structured set of distinctions of sounds called phonemes. For example the differences between the words tick, pick, lick, thick and so on lies in the differences of the first segment of each. Words like sick can be said in different ways, and just by hearing it one can infer if it is being said by a child with a lisp, woman tend to say it with more prissiness and gayness with men. So stereotypically speaking the way sick is being said by whoever is said differently depending on gender or sexual orientation. 2. How is grammatical gender defined by Eckert & McConnell-Ginet? How is social gender defined by them? Do you think these two concepts always need to match up or align with each other in language? 3. How do Eckert & McConnell-Ginet define the syntactic level of language? (i.e. How do they define syntax?) What is an example of how syntax can reflect cultural ideas about gender and/or sexuality? (You can either use the example given by the authors or provide your own.) 4. According to Eckert & McConnell-Ginet, what is the difference between gender and sex? What does it mean to do or to perform gender? 5. What are two ways that parents talk differently to young girls than to young boys? Which do you think came first – girls and boys acting in ways that necessitated parents to treat them differently, or parents treating boys
Open Document