Professor Amalia Arvaniti from the Department of English Language and Linguistics will give her Kent Institute for the Advanced Study of the Humanities (KIASH) Inaugural lecture, ‘Language, Gender and the Power of Stereotypes’, on Friday 13 February at 6pm in Grimond Lecture Theatre 1.
Many stereotypes about gendered language have become part of common lore and linguistic thinking alike, thanks to early work which defined the linguistic devices (said to be) used by women as powerless. The research to be presented focuses on two instances of such perceived linguistic powerlessness: (i) the use of uptalk (rising pitch at the end of statements) and its implications for the expression of uncertainty and self-effacement; (ii) the seeming ability of women to read hidden meanings in what men say. The two studies show that stereotypes have a base in gendered linguistic behaviour, but they also indicate that the link between gender and language is often indirect and sometimes non-existent. Thus, interpreting linguistic behaviour as directly reflecting gender while taking the existence of gender differences for granted can lead to erroneous conclusions which serve only to reinforce existing stereotypes, thereby compounding gender inequality.
The lecture will be followed by a drinks reception in the Grimond Foyer. All are welcome, further details can be found on the schools events page: www.kent.ac.uk/secl/events