ABSTRACT
This study seeks to conduct a sociolinguistic examination of the impact of gender on language usage. The research methodology employed for this investigation involves audio recording. The findings of this study confirm that disparities between males and females in their modes of interaction frequently give rise to misconceptions, ambiguous meanings, and misinterpretations of certain statements and gestures. Furthermore, it has been observed that discrepancies in turn-taking patterns, utilization of minimal responses, questioning techniques, topic transitions, as well as instances of loud and aggressive arguments between genders often lead to communication breakdowns and misunderstandings.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
When we communicate with others about ourselves, our situations, or inquire about others and their situations, we engage in language exchange to share facts or opinions. This type of language use is often referred to as "referential," "propositional," or "ideational." Language serves as a means for human beings to interact in social settings, conveying their needs, ideas, and emotions to one another (Labov, 2013). As Sapir (2015) accurately stated, human language is a unique and non-instinctive method of expressing thoughts, emotions, and desires through a system of consciously produced symbols. Language is inherently human, exclusive to our species, and universally present in all typical individuals. While animals possess communication systems, they are not as developed as human language. Hence, language is considered species-specific and species-uniform.
Language molds individuals' thoughts, providing guidance and control over their entire range of activities. It serves as a vessel for transmitting civilization and culture, as human thoughts and philosophies are conveyed across generations through the medium of language (Syal and Jindal, 2015).
Ultimately, attitudes toward language are reflections of attitudes toward its users and purposes. People generally do not form opinions about language in isolation. They develop attitudes toward languages that reflect their views about the individuals who speak the language, as well as the contexts and functions associated with it (Holmes, 2016).
In recent years, sociolinguistics has brought attention to the potential connection between the structure, vocabulary, and language usage of specific languages and the social roles of the men and women who speak them. Grammatical differences in speech between two individuals can provide insights into their respective social backgrounds.
Gender studies have revealed that language users hold a wide range of beliefs and knowledge about language that extend beyond the rules and representations of grammatical specifications. The social roles adopted by men and women, their differing values and social networks (including those they communicate with most), and their sensitivity to contextual factors, such as the characteristics of the person they are conversing with, are relevant factors in explaining individuals' speech patterns. Additionally, there are other factors underlying the disparities in language use between males and females, with culture being a significant influence. As different societies have distinct ways of life, and language is heavily influenced by culture, people's language usage will be greatly affected.
It is within this context that the present study aims to examine the variations in speech patterns between men and women and conduct a sociolinguistic analysis of how gender considerations influence interactions among 400 level students in the Department of English and Literary Studies at the University of Nigeria.
Statement of the Problem
The dissimilarities in the ways women and men interact can be attributed to their distinct social and cultural backgrounds. Extensive research has demonstrated significant differences in language usage between men and women. This fundamental fact poses a challenge when it comes to interpreting and understanding discourse. Consequently, there is a frequent occurrence of misinterpretations and misconceptions regarding certain statements and gestures, leading to breakdowns in communication. It is within this context that this study aims to address the following questions:
Purpose of the Study
This project aims at a sociolinguistic study of the effect of gender on language use among students. It seeks to achieve the following specific objectives:
i. to identify the differences in the speech patterns of 400 level male and female students.
ii. to highlight the underlying factors accounting for these differences.
iii. to identify the effects of gender on interaction.
Research Questions
The following research questions have been formulated to guide this study.
i. Do men and women speak differently in the process of communication?
ii. What are the factors responsible for different language usages by men and women?
iii. Does gender affect interaction among males and females?
Significance of the Study
This study is very significant because it would bring to limelight the terms and expressions used by male and female student of the Department of English and Literary Studies, University of Nigeria. Since it focuses on the issue of language and gender, it would serve as a source of information and discovery to those who do not understand how gender consideration influences interaction.
Delimitation of the Study
This study aims to examine the usage of the English language by both males and females in a general context. The issue of language use within various contexts and situations is not unique to students at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), but is also relevant to diverse individuals worldwide. To facilitate data collection, this study focuses specifically on 400 level male and female students from the Department of English and Literary Studies at UNN. This particular group was chosen due to the ease of data collection, as well as the familiarity and level of interaction that exists among them as course mates, which is expected to provide ample data for analysis. A random sample of forty (40) students, comprising twenty (20) males and twenty (20) females, was selected to gather data for the study.
Limitation of the Study
Due to some limitation of this study it would be very difficult to generalize the findings of this study to the population. Firstly, some of the interviewees, especially among male participants, were more reticent than others and it was rather difficult to get them engaged in the process of interviews
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