Similarities and differences between the language of men and women

Introduction

Tremendous amount of research has been directed to the distinct ways that women and men utilize language during the communication process. Whereas female and male patterns of language grow in an increasingly similar manner with time, various differences usually prevail. Two key theories exist with the goal of explaining the distinctions in female and male language. The initial theory stipulates that men utilize language to allow them dominate whereas women utilize language to permit them confirm relegation. The second theory supposes that female and male language results from women and men being affiliated with distinct subcultures in line with having distinct encounters during life. Therefore, neither female nor male language can be consider as superior, but they just differ. The patterns of language for every gender have received minimal definition mostly because of the growth of the gender roles. The displays of emotion by males and displays of authority by females via language have grown increasingly acceptable within the society during the last few decades. Nevertheless, certain differences can be identified between ways in which women and men speak (Evans, 2014) . Thus, the paper compares women and men’s language.

Past Female and Male Language

During the past years, there prevailed clear differences in terms of the manner in which women and men spoke. In the case of women, they mostly utilized linguistic approaches referred to as hedging devices, which served various roles. They would be able to express whether speakers were uncommitted or unsure of what they were saying, revealing an unwillingness of going up the speaking work or turn to facilitate in softening utterances to ensure that the feelings of the recipient were not hurt. For the hedging devices, they comprised of rise-fall patterns in intonation, such as “I assume,” “I think,” and “sort of.” They would also utilize adverbials, including “probably,” “maybe,” and “generally.” Furthermore, they would utilize modal verbs, including “might,” “may,” “could,’ and “would.” Also, tag questions, such as “didn’t he” and “isn’t it” were also common in their conversations (Westin, 2018) . These distinctions usually reflected the conversation forms that men and women had regularly. For women, they utilized language to allow them establish bonds in line with communicating feelings. In this case, it was vital to utilize the devices to allow them minimize incidences of hurting the feelings of others. In the case of men, they utilized language with the goal of transmitting meaning while they did not lay significant emphasis on the feelings of their recipients. The language that females utilized was considered as more formal and polite whereas men were socially permitted additional room for utilizing nonstandard English and profanity (Cameron, 2017) .

Current Male Language Patterns

In the present society, males are commenting to utilize hedging devices frequently with the changes prevailing in cultural norms. They are also increasingly being encouraged to express themselves via emotional means. Nevertheless, differences still exist in the manner in which males utilize hedging devices. Whereas women utilize a hedging device, such as “you know” to as a sign of politeness, men utilize it when a presumption prevails concerning shared knowledge between the recipient and the speaker males talk significantly less when taking part in conversations with each other (Gu, 2013) . In these instances, the major emphasis is directed toward physical activities, such as playing video games or fishing as opposed to verbal communication. When men talk, they normally focus on selecting conversation topics, including sports, cars, money, sex, politics, and business. Men prefer having the bottom line offered to them before hearing details whereas he reverse applies for women (Cameron, 2017) .

Present female Language Patterns

When it comes to women, they adopt conventional male patterns of speech because they occupy domains that males previously occupied. Currently, women usually curse regularly unlike it was the case of the past when such practices were deemed unacceptable. Women feel reduced obligation when it comes to speaking while expressing politeness while they refrain from topics associated with males, such as sports and sex. They usually downplay the authority they have by utilizing hedging devices, such as “I believe” and “I think,” which reveal that the belief they have are only applicable to their own situations (Westin, 2018) . Furthermore, women direct emphasis toward more verbal communication as opposed to physical activities when interacting with other women. They spend considerable amounts of time talking about issues related to family, home, and relationships. They are highly likely to take part in self-disclosure particularly when confiding in others on personal issues in their lives. Women prefer hearing details that lead to a conversation’s bottom-line as opposed to being offered bottom line first (Cameron, 2017) .

Present Mixed Gender Conversation Patterns

The distinctions that prevail in female and male patterns of language lead to situations whereby women and men need to make adjustments regularly in the speaking habits to allow them communicate with each other. In the event of informal interactions, women appear as employing tremendous effort in ensuring that the conversation continues by raising questions. The language that en utilize becomes formal and polite when women are present, leading them to utilize limited curse words. The communication that exists between genders emerges less confusing when the patterns of language by women and men keep merging with time. Today, a notable rise has been witnessed when it comes to women speaking in an assertive manner when surrounded males. Males also speak emotional subjects when in the presence of their female colleagues (Evans, 2014) .

Men Perceive Women as Asking Many Questions

Estimates reveal that around 72 percent of male consider women as asking many questions. Certain men feel that most of these questions end up slowing progress in line with delaying the process of making decisions. Others feel that questions reflect that a female boss is quite critical or too controlling, In the case of a large number of women, they admit that they ask many questions, although they feel that the questions they raise serve as their best efforts to contribute. These play the role of stimulating idea exchange, establish a consensus, show they are concerned about the welfare of others, and assist in realizing the bet outcome. Comprehending the motivation in line with attaining value of questions as opposed to being annoyed can assist in fostering improved communication between genders in line with establishing a balanced workplace (Evans, 2014) .

Women Feel Non-Included while Men Continue Talking

Around 50 percent of women stipulate that they feel excluded in their workplace, whether in casual meetings, social events, or conversations, 90 percent of men feel that females have equal opportunities. The males also claim not to exclude women. In this case, questions arise as to who among the two is correct. Both are. For instance, when considering a meeting in which men interrupt each other constantly and raising ideas whereas a woman remains silent, they tend to ignore her since they perceive her as having nothing worth saying. For the woman, on the other hand, she might feel that the men do not seem concerned about her opinions (Gu, 2013) . However, what men fail to realize is that females prefer being invited to take part in a conversation. Also, in the case of where females come together, in the event that one of them remains silent, they tend to want to know she is thinking these kinds of opposite reactions result from the chemical differences that prevail between men and women. A key symptom associated with high testosterone revolves around the idea that once it becomes accelerated, men usually jump into situations and react rapidly (Westin, 2018) . For women, on the other hand, they are usually characterized by high oxytocin levels while they prefer being inclusive. In the case of men who invite women to conversations, they can assist them in being included in conversations whereas women have the capacity of taking initiative on their own to allow them lean in (Gu, 2013) .

Men Prefer Individual Acknowledgement, Women Like Serving in a Team

The manner in which men and women show and feel appreciation in their place of work differs considerably. Whereas men prefer their individual results to receive acknowledgement, such as being commended for doing a good job, women prefer sharing praise and be recognized as serving in a team. When women are acknowledged tasks, such as when they acquire new clients, they usually share the news, such as stipulating that they could not have done it without the assistance of a particular person (Evans, 2014) .

Men Target Solving Problems Women Love Companionship

The manner in which women and men address issues is attributed to their favorite hormones, including testosterone and oxytocin. When men encounter challenges, the major reaction entails withdrawing. This serves as the reaction of a man because of rising levels of testosterone to meet the issue. By contrast, women search for support to deal with problem by engaging their oxytocin hormone. This explains the reasons as to why women usually misinterpret the shutting out of men as seeming not to care or avoiding a problem (Evans, 2014) .

Conclusion

In conclusion, several similarities prevail between the language of men and women, although they are not quite clear. However, differences sere as the most apparent hence creating a need for managing the conflicts that prevail between them. Fostering better linkage between sexes does not entail men changing behaviors entirely in line with that women should change. Rather, to facilitate in boosting communication in line with having a harmonious environment, it is vital to work hard to facilitate in respecting the prevailing difference. The issues that result to conflicts are because of absence of gender intelligence. Therefore, it is essential to respect and appreciate the differences that prevail between women and men while at the same time expecting them to respond appropriately to the issues that exist between them.

References

Cameron, D. (2017). What language barrier? Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/oct/01/gender.books

Evans, L. (2014). Are we speaking a different language? Men and women’s communication blind spots. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/3031631/are-we-speaking-a-different-language-men-and-womens-communication-blind-s

Gu, L. (2013). Language and gender: Differences and similarities. 2013 International Conference on Advances in Social Science, Humanities, and Management (ASSHM 2013) (pp. 248-251). Hengxiang St. Baoding: Hebei Finance University.

Westin, D. (2018). What are the differences between the male & female language? Retrieved from https://datingtips.match.com/differences-between-male-female-language-7979389.html