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A Textual Search for Rhetorical and Linguistic Gender-Markings in Speech Samples of Three Contemporary Female Orators

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A Textual Search for Rhetorical and Linguistic Gender-Markings in Speech Samples of Three Contemporary Female Orators TURNING THE NOOSE THAT BINDS INTO A ROPE TO CLIMB A TEXTUAL SEARCH FOR RHETORICAL AND LINGUISTIC GENDER-MARKINGS IN SPEECH SAMPLES OF THREE CONTEMPORARY FEMALE ORATORS Angela Wallington Zimmann A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY December 2007 Committee: Kristine Blair, Advisor Sherri L. Horner, Graduate Faculty Representative Sue Carter Wood Bruce Edwards i i ABSTRACT Kristine Blair, Advisor Feminine communication styles have been the subject of active investigation since Robin Tolmach Lakoff’s 1975 publication of Language and Woman’s Place. This dissertation adds to that body of research, using both Lakoff’s linguistic markers and the rhetorical concept of the double-bind as discussed by Kathleen Hall Jamieson in “Beyond the Double Bind.” The women selected for this study include Nancy Pelosi; Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Katharine Jefferts Schori; who serves as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopalian Church-USA; and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Three genre-specific speech samples from each of the rhetors (the acceptance speech, the standard professional speech, and the interview) are analyzed using Lakoff’s markers and Jamieson’s concept of the double-bind. Using this research structure, the speeches are examined for both stylistic and substantive language use which might be understood as “feminine.” The dissertation concludes with a summary of the findings, including tables which demonstrate the extent of the usage of Lakoff’s markers by genre and by rhetor, and commentary on the way that genre influenced the rhetors’ usage of both linguistic and rhetorical strategies. Interestingly, genre appeared to be more of a deciding factor in the study than was originally anticipated, and this provides a powerful incentive for further research. Finally, I argue for the inclusion of these orators within the rhetorical canon, for we cannot attempt to re-gender the rhetorical tradition and claim to support inclusive rhetorical practices if we do not recognize the contemporary women whose voices are shaping and re-shaping the way rhetoric is applied in the public sphere. i i i For Mom i v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS In July of 2007, days before she died, I had the privilege of telling my mother that this dissertation would be completed in her honor. She was my first, best teacher, and it was because of her that I came to love learning and to believe in the power of education to improve the world. It was her tender care of my children through the long days of teaching, studying, writing and reading that enabled me to complete this degree. I love you, mom. There is a multitude of other people who have supported me along the way. First and foremost, I am grateful also to my dad, a teacher who showed me how to cherish words (and numbers!), and to my husband, Marty: you spent many evenings alone while I read and wrote. Now it is your turn – thanks for giving me mine. Seth and Chelsea, thank you for making me laugh and keeping me grounded. You are the two best kids a mom could ever have. Dr. Sue Hedahl, my friend and mentor, believed in me before I believed in myself; she sent me off to BGSU, where I met Dr. Kris Blair, my advisor. From the day I walked in the door, Dr. Blair gave me confidence, energy and support. There might be a better advisor, somewhere, possibly; but I doubt it. For late-night emails, amazingly fast chapter turnarounds, and your never- failing optimism, I thank you. My gratitude also extends to the rest of my committee: you have been so supportive of me as I learned my way through this dissertation. Your unfailing willingness to give me feedback has been an immense help. Jennifer Almjeld, Sergey Rybas, Florence Bacabac, James Schirmer – you are all friends whom I admire and whose brilliance is a true inspiration. I wish you all the best. Thank you for being travelers with me on this journey. v To the good people at Trinity Lutheran Church, in Riga, Michigan: thank you for your many kindnesses. You are my constant reminder that life is more than what we can see, and we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us and brings us peace in the midst of chaos. There are others, certainly, who deserve my thanks: please know that you are in my thoughts and I am deeply grateful. Most of all, I give thanks to God. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY………………………………….... 1 The Recent Study of Female Rhetors: A Review of the Literature…………….. 2 Goals of the Study………………………………………………........................ 6 Part I of the Study: Breaking the Double-Bind………………………………… 8 Part II of the Study: Utilizing “Feminine” Language…………………………... 12 Limitations of the Study………………………………………………………... 19 Limitations Presented by Homogeneous Subjects……………………………... 23 Limitations Created by Specific Frameworks of Authenticity…………………. 25 Limitations Regarding Quantity of Speeches....................................................... 25 Chapter Summaries and a Final Note.................................................................. 26 CHAPTER II: THE RHETORIC OF THE RIGHT REV. KATHARINE JEFFERTS SCHORI, PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE EPISCOPALIAN CHURCH – USA………………… 29 Introduction and Chapter Format………………………………………………. 29 “Grow in All Things into Christ”: First Sermon as Presiding Bishop…………. 31 Section 1A: Negotiating the Double-Bind……………………………………... 36 Section 1B: Examining the Sermon for Feminine Gender-Markings………….. 42 Maundy Thursday, late 1990s: Before the Bishopric…………………………... 45 Section 2A: Negotiating the Double-Bind……………………………………... 47 Section 2B: Examining the Sermon for Feminine Gender-Markings………….. 48 The Transcript of the “Religion and Ethics Newsweekly” Interview of the ECUSA’s First Female Bishop………………………………………….. 51 vi i Section 3A: Negotiating the Double-Bind……………………………………... 57 Section 3B: Examining the Sermon for Feminine Gender-Markings………….. 61 Conclusions: Katharine Jefferts Schori A Woman in the Language-Land of Men……………………………………… 64 CHAPTER III: THE RHETORIC OF RUTH GINSBURG, ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES… 69 Introduction and Chapter Format………………………………………………. 69 “When Daughters are Cherished as Much as Sons”: Remarks Following the Nomination to the Supreme Court……………………. 71 Section 1A: Negotiating the Double-Bind……………………………………... 76 Section 1B: Examining the Speech for Feminine Gender-Markings………….. 83 Fourteen Years Later: The Woman of the Court Speaks..................................... 87 Section 2A: Negotiating the Double-Bind……………………………………... 91 Section 2B: Examining the Speech for Feminine Gender-Markings………….. 94 The Transcript of the “PBS NOW” Interview With Ruth Bader Ginsburg (2002) 97 Section 3A: Negotiating the Double-Bind……………………………………... 106 Section 3B: Examining the Interview for Feminine Gender-Markings………….. 110 Conclusions: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supremely Adaptable Rhetorician… 112 CHAPTER IV: THE RHETORIC OF NANCY PELOSI, SPEAKER OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES………... 116 Introduction and Chapter Format………………………………………………. 116 Pelosi Calls for a New America, Built on the Values that Made Our Country Great.............................................. 118 vi i i Section 1A: Negotiating the Double-Bind……………………………………... 123 Section 1B: Examining the Speech for Feminine Gender-Markings…………. 128 Pelosi Delivers Eulogy for Former Congressman Parren Mitchell of Maryland…. 131 Section 2A: Negotiating the Double-Bind……………………………………... 134 Section 2B: Examining the Eulogy for Feminine Gender-Markings………….. 135 The Transcript of the “Newsweek” Interview with Nancy Pelosi (2006)……… 137 Section 3A: Negotiating the Double-Bind……………………………………... 141 Section 3B: Examining the Interview for Feminine Gender-Markings………….. 149 Conclusions: Undermining the “House” from Within Its Walls……………….. 151 CHAPTER V: CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY… 153 Introduction and Chapter Format………………………………………………. 153 Section 1A: Negotiating the Double-Bind in the Acceptance Speech…………. 154 Section 1B: Feminine Gender-Markings in the Acceptance Speech…………... 156 Section 2A: Negotiating the Double-Bind in a Typical Prepared Speech Sample…………………………………………………………………. 158 Section 2B: Feminine Gender-Markings in a Typical Prepared Speech Sample…………………………………………………………………. 159 Section 3A: Negotiating the Double-Bind in the Interview……………………. 160 Section 3B: Feminine Gender-Markings in the Interview……………………... 161 Section 4: Implications for Further Study……………………………………… 163 Final Thoughts..................................................................................................... 168 REFERENCES………………………………………………………………… 173 i x LIST OF FIGURES/TABLES Figure/Table Page 1 The Structure of the Episcopalian Church, USA.. .................................................. 30 2 Gender-Markings in Acceptance Speech................................................................ 156 3 Gender-Markings in Prepared Speech Sample ....................................................... 159 4 Gender-Markings in Interview............................................................................... 161 5 Jefferts Schori Gender-Markings in Speech Samples ............................................. 162 6 Ginsburg Gender-Markings in Speech Samples ..................................................... 162 7 Pelosi Gender-Markings in Speech Samples .........................................................
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