Examining the Fluidity of Men's and Women's Language in a Malaysian Private Institution

Lim, Yin Her (2024) Examining the Fluidity of Men's and Women's Language in a Malaysian Private Institution. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

Gender, as a societal construct, has historically shaped distinct linguistic patterns for men and women. Women spoke more prestigiously due to societal pressures, while men faced less scrutiny. However, feminist movements have since reduced these disparities, fostering linguistic flexibility as both genders increasingly adopt features of each other's speech, blurring traditional gender distinctions. Therefore, this study aims to examine the incorporation of opposite-gender language features in male and female speech, analyse the frequency of gender-specific language use in daily conversations, and explore the functions of these features in contemporary society. Participants are male and female students from a Malaysian private institution, and the research uses a mix-mode of qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Theoretical frameworks used are Lakoff (1973) women’s language and Mulac et al. (2001) men’s language, and results indicate a trend toward gender-neutral language which challenges traditional sociolinguistic norms. In conclusion, the research reflects society’s progress toward equality.