English Language Investigation Into The Differences In The Use Of Hedging Between Genders.

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English Language Investigation

Introduction:

In my language investigation I will be looking into one of the many variations found within the English Language today particularly around the controversial issue of language and gender. The topic of this investigation will be looking into the variations between both genders when using hedges within conversation. I will investigate the different way these certain words are used as well as the frequencies between the genders. Hedging is a choice of wording that shows uncertainty within conversation, for example: 'maybe', 'like' and 'kind of'

The idea for this study was sparked through the research into the variations regarding language and gender, where a number of differing theories were found; it was these differences that generated an interest into further, private research into which could possibly, if any, prove correct.

The studies and resulting theories can be split up into a number of categories that they tend to come under: dominance theory and difference theory. The difference theories at their most basic suggest men and women's language differ due to different inherent social position that is reinforced throughout their lives, meaning that both men and women have different intentions when in conversations