Misunderstandings :: essays research papers

Thus far this semester, we have learned of how language functions as a whole on society, but Ill be doing something a little diverse. Let me start off with a question. Who here has gotten into a fight with their significant other or just a assistant of the opposite sex over a mis registering, misinterpretation, or feel that they argon just speaking another language and you dont understand them? This so-called phenomenon is best described by the metaphor of men atomic number 18 from mars and women are from venus and thats why we speak different languages. We dont really come from different planets, but we are very different in our communication styles. Our extraction of language is affect by our sex and gender. This is epitomized by the ever so popular clich of, I dont understand women/men.? And this clich was verified by your answers to the question I just posed. While the most obvious function of language is to draw information, language also contributes to at least two othe r as important, but less often recognized, functions (1) to establish and maintain social relationships, and (2) to express and create the social identity of the speaker. In my paper I leave alone attempt to verify how language is affected by sex and gender. My special focus will be on Deborah Tannens work on understanding women and men in conversation.Tannen discusses many disparities in language caused by gender such as men often seeking unprejudiced solutions to problems and useful advice whereas women tend to try and establish intimacy by discussing problems and cover concern and empathy in order to reinforce relationships. Female subculture uses language to mannikin equal relationships, go male subculture uses language to build hierarchical relationships.If conformist to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis that language shapes the way we see the world, language allows people to spin on ideas influencing the younger generation. The gender identity that accompanies our sex is pred etermined by our parents perception of sex and gender. Typically, little girls are brocaded to be sensitive and soft and to express their feelings, but boys are asked to be tough and detached from their emotions. Take for example a boy and a girl who play together and both fall down. Typically, the girl would be allowed to cry and will be picked up and taken care of while the little boy would be asked to stop crying and suck it up.