Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
Gender Stereotypes in the Language of Pakistani Newspapers
Sarwet Rasul
Abstract
Language, culture and media create a triangle in which each affects the other two and in turn is affected by them. As far as language is concerned, it is greatly influenced by social and cultural features, of which gender is an important factor. Choices of language are more gender biased in male dominant and female subservient societies. In Pakistan too, gender discrimination is a prominent feature of language use. Printed media clearly reflects this bias. The showbiz section that constitutes an important part of Pakistani newspapers also manifests gender specific language choices. The present research explores the language of the showbiz section of selected newspapers to examine how gender is portrayed in entertainment features of newspapers with reference to social and cultural stereotypes operating in our society. The data is categorized and analyzed from both linguistic and social perspectives. It is expected that the research would not only help in understanding gender specific language choices in Pakistani print media but would also be relevant to the Bangladeshi context in many ways.
Issue in the Context of Pakistani Society
Pakistan is a traditional patriarchal society with gender ideologies and disparities operating in different walks of life in favour of men and against women. The stereotypical image of women is created through their binary projection as incarnations of subordination, obedience, subservience, docility and compliance on one hand, and commodities to be purchased, used, and played with on the other. Like in most fields, Pakistani media also works under a structure in which women are either submissive sufferers or objects to entertain. “This media projection is in fact a reproduction of the existing and established image of women in our society” (Rasul, 2008: 74). In general in Pakistani society prejudice against women exists in all spheres of life; thus Pakistani newspapers, both English and Urdu, also give biased and prejudiced coverage to women in the domain of fashion. This prejudice and bias is created as well as reflected through pictorial, thematic and linguistic gender-specific representations.
Aim and Significance of the Research
The aim of the research is to examine how Pakistani newspapers present gender stereotypes operating in society through the showbiz and entertainment sections; and how the thematic projection, pictorial presentation and linguistic choices in the showbiz news are used to project and reinforce women as stereotypically weak individuals, displayable commodities and purchasable products in opposition to men as powerful individuals, potential beings and capable professionals.
Media can be used as a tool to study the sociological composition of a society. The deconstruction of language used in showbiz and entertainment news can significantly contribute to the understanding of gender frameworks operating in society. The portrayal of women in the fashion and showbiz industries is gender sensitive. Men and women in the showbiz industry are categorized differently, and are perceived in different ways in Pakistan. Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
One of the underlying concerns motivating this research on gender images in newspapers is an interest in the exploration of the general claims of progress we make towards the social equality of women in society today. As media are involved in this progress, just as they are in any other social movement in modern times, examining the part the media play in projecting men and women is of special importance. The fashion and showbiz industries are also gaining pace and enlightenment, and the image of women seems to have changed over time. However, the way language is used for men and women remains gender sensitive in several aspects. In the Pakistani context, this paper will bring forward how women are projected differently from men in the showbiz news and what are the socio-cultural reasons for and implications of this projection.
Literature Review
What is Gender? Difference between Gender and Sex
Meyerhoff (2006) asserts that sex is a biological category whereas gender is a social and cultural category; sex can be defined objectively and scientifically such as the number of X chromosomes a person has. To Wharton (2005: 7), sex is only a biological factor with “distinguishable characteristics, which include chromosomal differences, external and internal sexual structures, hormonal productions and other psychological differences, and secondary sex characteristics”. The biological aspects of sex for Delamont (1990: 7) involve “physiology, anatomy, genetics, hormones” whereas the non-biological aspects of gender are the differences between males and females like “clothes, interests, attitudes, behaviours and aptitudes”. In this regard Meyerhoff (2006) asserts that gender “is a social property: something acquired or constructed through your relationships with others and through an individual’s adherence to certain cultural norms and proscriptions”.
To Eckert (2003: 14), “[i]f gender flowed naturally from sex, one might expect the world to sit back and simply allow the baby to become male or female”; however it does not happen naturally. Children acquire gender roles from society and the people around them as Epstein (1995: 58) points out:
… babies are not born gendered, but learn to become gendered … in other words … sex is given which cannot be changed. Gender, on the other hand, is learnt and in the ways in which one becomes gendered may vary according to time, place and culture.
For this reason there is universally a definite distinction between the two sexes, their roles and characteristics but the gender roles change with respect to the society. Jackson and Gee (2005: 116) assert that "… a post-structuralist theorization proposes that gender is fluid, negotiated and constructed across different social and cultural contexts”.
Thus, gender indicates the socially constructed roles, behaviours and characteristics that a particular society deems appropriate for men and women. The social and cultural roles assigned and expected by the society one lives in create gender distinction, and it has nothing to do with the biological phenomenon one is born with. According to the international social structure gender and its categories are defined in a different way than sex such as wife a woman, dentist a man, and so on (Oakley, 1972). Oakley further argues that gender is a visible sum of the qualities including mannerisms, ways of speaking, dress, choice of topics in conversation and so on. To Cornell (2004), in its initial meaning the term gender was used critically in social, political and scientific works; however, it introduced new dimensions of human history as for the first time it looked forward to see women’s subjugation in different spheres of life and how women can play positive roles in social, political and economic life. Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
Gender cannot be treated as an individual’s qualities or characteristics as the people belonging to a particular area exhibit the same behavioural traits as the majority of those in the locality posses on the basis of their approach to a particular sex category. So, on the basis of these ideas, gender can rightly be treated as a “multi-level phenomenon”, which on one hand enables men and women to interact socially, and on the other hand makes institutions to work under the division of gender (Warton, 2005).
Gender and Language: Gendered Language
The relationship between gender and language is noteworthy in terms of social, cultural and contextual background of a particular society. Gender refers to the roles of males and females assigned to them by society. Language encompasses their thoughts, which again are influenced and shaped by the society they live in. So the relationship between gender and language operates on the socio-cultural level. “Language defines men and women differently” (Wood, 2005: 106). The gender stereotypes that exist in language operate in a particular society in a number of ways. Language is used to define women by appearance and relationships, and men by activities, accomplishments or positions. The connotations of words or the language used are important in relating them with gender because language is gendered both explicitly and implicitly, and connotations attached to words are a frequently used tool of gendering language implicitly. Romaine (1994) says cultural stereotypes exhibit spinster as having a negative connotation in contrast to bachelor. This extends so much so that women’s accepted association with relationships is highlighted through language with the use of words such as Miss or Mrs (Romaine, 1999). This also accentuates that language is essential in the definition of female and male experiences, exposing popular images as metaphors that mask male sexual dominance and aggression.
Gender Roles and Language
Bem (1993) asserts that people are recognized through a “lens” of gender polarization, and that language plays a vital role in this gender polarization. Gender roles are confirmed, reinforced and sustained through the use of language. They are deeply embedded in our minds and are further shaped and intensified by the everyday interaction in the society we live in. Hence, gender stereotypes as portrayed through the use of language are reflective of our thoughts, culture and the society one belongs to.
What are Stereotypes?
Wood (2005: 111) defines a stereotype as “a generalization about an entire class of phenomenon based on some knowledge of some members of the class”. To stereotype someone is to interpret their behaviour, personality and so on in terms of a set of common-sense attributions which are applied to whole groups (e.g, “Italians are excitable” or “Black people are good at sport”) (Cameron, 1988: 8). Stereotypes exist in every society, and language is an important tool of stereotyping. Talbot (2003: 468) assertsthat “Like caricatures, they [stereotypes] focus obsessively on certain characteristics, real or imagined, and exaggerate them”. He rightly adds, “As a representational practice, stereotyping involves simplification, reduction, and naturalization” (Talbot, 2003: 470). To him, “power is a key consideration in this regard. Stereotypes tend to be directed at subordinate groups (e.g., ethnic minorities, women) and they play an important part in hegemonic struggle” (Talbot, 2003: 471). As far as Pakistan is concerned, like many other patriarchal societies, women have been stereotyped as weak and submissive on one hand and objects of beauty on the other.
Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
Newspapers: A Significant Print Medium of Communication
With the promising age of technology, media has gained immense recognition and power. In Pakistan as well, the role of media in influencing the thoughts of people cannot be denied. All forms of media function to provide information, updates, entertainment and policies, and are reflective of a country’s social, economic, regional and cultural conditions and norms. Newspapers are an important print medium of communication.
To Reah (1998: 4), “News is a late Middle English word that means tidings, new information of recent events”. He further defines news as “information about recent events that are of interest to a sufficiently larger group, or that may affect the lives of a sufficiently large group”. Reah (1998: 13) also believes that “Newspapers are ephemeral texts, that is, they are intended only for the day they are delivering the news. They cater for a wide range of readers with a wide range of needs” and “in fact the larger part of a newspaper will be devoted to items other than news, for example, TV listings and advertising. A percentage of the news stories will relate to the activities of celebrities, film and TV stars (particularly soap stars), and the activities of the royal family” (Reah, 1998: 2).
Entertainment and Showbiz Section of Newspapers
Apart from the various other sections in newspapers, the entertainment and showbiz section holds a prominent position in the newspapers. This section of newspapers consists of news and gossip about celebrities, famous stars and personalities of the television, fashion and film industries. These may include actors, actresses, singers, directors, models and other such celebrities of the mass media.
In Pakistan also, celebrities are highly praised by their fans. The admirers greatly idealize these celebrities of the mass media and hence, any news and gossip related to their respective favourite stars is of much interest to them. Newspapers provide information and updates related to them and keep readers informed about them. In fact, it would not be wrong to say that entertainment and showbiz sections of newspapers play an important part in keeping the retail of the newspapers attractive and healthy. To Hodgson (1984: 36):
The coverage of show business news and gossip, particularity of television and the ‘pop’ music world, is especially characteristic of the popular national dailies and Sunday papers. It is part of their marketing strategy for attracting young buyers, and at the same time responding to the interests of the sort of family groups which form the bulk of their readers.
Role of Media in Promoting Gender Ideologies
To Jasam (2001) media is a channel for promoting ideas and reinforcing ideologies. It plays an important role in shaping our perception of the terms male or female (Burki, 2004). It not only reflects but also creates and reshapes public opinion. To Burki, the drive to promote gender sensitization and a gendered perspective to news, events and entertainment in the media includes both sexes, where men and women are slotted into particular roles and are expected to stick to certain codes of conduct.
To Ahmar (2004), “Traditionally, the media world has been male-dominated, globally as well as nationally. Men design and define media policies, priorities and agenda including how women are portrayed and presented”. She further adds, “The issue of monitoring and advocacy on how women are portrayed in the media is a complicated one. It involves bringing about change in the Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009 typical media representation of gender that reflects a certain mind-set and thought process of media persons.”
Dagar (2004) discusses the coverage of beauty contests and models as a reflection of the image of women created by media. This is not limited to India but is a universal phenomenon in the world of media. It is significant in the context that men design and define media policies, priorities and agenda, including how women are to be portrayed and projected.
Menon (2004: 200) refers to studies and surveys that show that “mass media is exploiting women in their forms: as a women [sic], as a sex object and as a person”. Exploitation and mistreatment of women by and through media is not specific or limited to any particular society or culture. In most of societies, media, in general, is biased against women. According to Menon (2004: 203), “The function of almost all campaigns in any country is to use women’s bodies or parts of the body in an erotic attraction appealing to male viewers … And it does not really matter what you are advertising – cold drinks, motor cars, shaving creams or sleeping pills – the additional feminine nudity is must to add”. Menon (2004: 201) further states: “In one of the very few cross cultural studies of media imagery in the USA, Flora (1973) analysed 202 stories in a sample of working class and middle class fiction magazines and found that the heroine is characterized by dependence, ineffectuality and humiliation, lacking virtue, initiative, emotional and self control”.
In the case of Pakistan also, media plays a vital role in reinforcing the image and position of women in the social fabric. In Pakistani media generally women are under represented, and dehumanizing language is used for them. Pakistani newspapers use sensational and gender biased language projects women as feeble, inferior and incapable.
Portrayal of Women in Pakistani Print Media
The portrayal of women through media is restricted to their private, traditional and stereotypical roles. Generally women are presented as commodities, objects of physical beauty and a source of attraction and amusement for men. There is also a marked increase in women’s magazines during the last few years. Most of these magazines are home, kitchen and fashion- based. These magazines either focus on the domestic side of a woman or on her looks and beauty; and the intellectual capacity of women is rarely referred to.
Language of Media and Gender Ideologies
Refering to the role of language in determining the patterns of hirearchy in terms of gender, Mayor and Pugh (1987) give the example of the use of Miss or Mrs which are markedly different linguistic choices as compared to Mr which is less specific and exceptional. In the same way use of he and not she when gender is unknown, is an oft quoted example of gender biased language. Such examples of gender specific language strenghthen the claim of linguists and psychologists who call the language of women as a “powerless language” in the social hirearchy.
As far as the use of language in media to create gender identities is concerned, media is a reflection of the society. So, the language used in media can also be a more subtle form of prejudice existing in the society. To Maddock (1999), the press often define women as either disadvantaged, dangerous or sinners; and language is used as a tool for this purpose. The stereotypical representation of masculinity and femininity through sensational language is a strong feature of Pakistani media as well. The way Pakistani media cover showbiz and entertainment news indicates its level of gender bias.
Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
Ahmar (2004) throws light on the Pakistani perspective of media and gender relations by stating that “Pakistani media, specially the Urdu and regional language press, indulges in a particular kind of gender-insensitive behavior whereby the language used is not only abusive and sexist, but also extremely judgmental, lacking any investigative or analytical value”. She further asserts:
While the print media accuses the woman of all sins: ‘Kanwari Maan ne Gunahoon ka bojh kooray key dher par phaink diya’ (virgin mother throws her burden of sins on a garbage dump), ‘saat bachoon ki ma aashna key sath bagh gayi’ (mother of seven elopes with lover), many teleplays are using biased language like: ‘aurat to hoti hi Naqasul Aqal hey’ (a woman is intellectually inferior), ‘baiti ka bojh jatni jaldi uttar jayey uttna hi acha hey’ (the burden of a daughter needs to be taken off as quickly as possible). These remarks and statements continue to victimize women and reinforce already existing negative images.
Data for the Research
There is a wide variety of newspapers that are published in Pakistan in several languages every day, with Urdu and English being the most prominent. The samples for the research were collected from the Rawalpindi / Islamabad editions of two English language newspapers and two Urdu language newspapers: The News, Daily Times, The Jinnah and The Jang, respectively. The samples were collected only from 1-7 April 2009 and only from the showbiz and entertainment sections of each newspaper. In each of the English newspapers this section consisted of one page. In The Jinnah it consisted of only one-quarter of page 7 every day, and in The Jang it was one item at the left top corner of page 2 and a quarter of page 7 every day.
Research Methodology
The research was a socio-linguistic study of the showbiz and entertainment section of the newspapers with a focus on the projection of gender. The data has been mainly analyzed under three sections: thematic, pictorial and linguistic. Data are categorized and analyzed to see the differences found in the portrayal of gender in the showbiz sections of the newspapers.
Presentation and Analysis of Data
The data collected from different newspapers are presented section-wise.
Section 1: Thematic Analysis
Under this section the data from all the newspapers were analyzed to see the nature of the news. It was examined that the news about the males and females given in the newspapers were about which sphere of their lives. After closely analysing the news, three categories (professional, personal and political/social) were devised in which all these news items could fit. The quantitative findings are given in Appendix A.
Analysis of the data shows that in all four newspapers, in total there were 71 news items about males whereas 82 were about females. Overall the data fall in the three categories as shown in Table 1.
Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
Table 1: Overall Findings of Thematic Representation of Gender in Urdu and English Newspapers
Themes of News (Males) Themes of News (Females) Professional 40 Professional 38 Personal 24 Personal 43 Political/Social 7 Political/Social 2 Total 71 Total 82
As far as disparities in gender representation are concerned the quantitative differences are quite noticeable in terms of thematic representation of males and females in the newspapers. As Table 1 indicates, 24 out of 71 news items about males were related to their personal lives whereas 43 out of 82 news items about women dealt with their personal lives, which indicates a striking difference in percentage: 34% and 52% respectively. However, the qualitative dimensions are more interesting. Take, for instance, the following headings:
• mein pyār kurun yā nufrat kisi ko kiā (The Jang, 2 April 2009, p 7, heading) • abhi shādi kurnay kā koi irādāh nuhin (The Jinnah, 3 April 2009, p 7, heading)
Both of these news headings are about the personal lives of the female stars. Interestingly, they are further sensationalized and exaggerated with supporting pictures of the female stars. See the images in Appendix B. Interestingly no such news was found about men.
It is also significant that even when the news items are given about the professional lives of female actors and stars, they are more sensationalized. For instance:
• khushboo aur didār naey anjuman shehzādi kay khilāf propaganda kur dia (The Jinnah, 2 April 2009, p 7, heading)
This sensationalism is created through the choices of language as in the case of the following:
• Anjuman Shehzadi nay bhārkāin mārna ādat bnā lī (The Jinnah, 2 April 2009, p 7, heading)
• Adākāra Anjuman shehzadii nay musical performance kay bāad burkain mārna apnī ādat bnā lī hai. tāfsīlāt kay mūtābiq ūriyān raks kar kay aūr filmūn kay līye beīntehā fāhsh gānāy picturize krā kay shūrhāt hāsil krnay wālī adākārah Anjuman shehzadi nay pīchlay kūch ārsay say theatre drāmūn mein rāks kārnay kay bāhd ūnchī āwāz mein bhārkāin lāgānay ko apnī ādat bnā liyā hai (The Jinnah, 2 April 2009, p 7, detailed news)
Also notice this example:
• shadi kay baad khushboo sīrf ghar main bhikray gi kīsī cinema hall ya stage par nain (The Jinnah, 3 April 2009, p 7, heading)
Thus, thematic analysis of the data clearly substantiates the hypothesis that the representation of women in the showbiz and entertainment sections of Pakistani newspapers is biased against women.
Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
Data Section 2: Pictorial Analysis
Overall 124 pictures of males and 165 pictures of females were found in the data (see Appendix C for details). Thus, there is a difference in the frequency of occurrence of pictures of males and females; however, the qualitative aspects of these occurrences are more striking. Generally when the news is about a male and a female the picture of the female is used. If the news is about several males and females, either the picture of a male is not used or if males have a pictorial representation the frequency is low. The use of more than one picture of a female with one news item about that female is a general practice (see Appendix D).
Section 3: Linguistic Analysis
The newspapers tend to use a particular type of vocabulary for the two genders. The choice of language, especially adjectives and compliments used for males and females clearly manifests the gender bias. The adjectives and compliments that are used for women show them as powerless and objects of beauty; and strength is associated with men through the use of adjectives and compliments.
These choices of adjectives and compliments are based on the received identities for gender in a particular society. Refering to the same characteristic of language, Hasan (2001) claims that adjectives used for boys and men explicitly or implicitly have the connotations of being active, creative, energetic, wild and angry whereas girls and women are projected as submissive, delicate, beautiful and dependent.
As far as the newspapers used for data collection are concerned, all the adjectives and compliments used for men and women are sorted out and given in Appendix E. Apart from the adjectives and compliments that refer to their professional identities professional as actor, actress, editor or writer, for example, there are many instances that show a biased representation of gender. Such interesting examples in the data regarding the news about male and female representation are discussed here. For instance in the Urdu newspapers:
• Hollywood beauty star Nicole Kidman (The Jinnah) • Hollywood ki kūbsūrat adākāra Salma Haik (The Jang) • Māshrāqī khādokhāl wālī mghrabī Salma Haik (The Jang) • Hollywood ki khūbsūrat adākārāūn (The Jang) • Bhūlāy bhālay Dimpal wālay cheray (The Jang) • Lollywood ki khūbsūrat adākāra khushbo (The Jang) • ghazāli nainū wali (The Jang) • sūrkh, sufaid rangat, ghazālī ānkhain, surahī- dār gardan, rūkhsār bharay, sadol jisam sarū sa qad (The Jang)
In all these instances physical appearance and beauty of the actresses and female stars are used to create their identity. The last instance is an example of the hyperbolic and exaggerated stereotypical representation. Interestingly there is only one news item in either of the Urdu newspapers in which physical appearance is used to create the identity of male characters:
• Pakistan television kay khūbrū funkār Babar Ali (The Jang)
As far as English newspapers are concerned, some interesting examples of representation of females are:
• Frail Farrah Fawcett (Daily Times) • Posh, pretty, brainy and committed (Daily Times) Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
• Barbie Katrina (Daily Times) • Black-eyed beauty (Daily times) • Screen queens Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (Daily Times) • Sassy babe (Daily Times) • Gorgeous twosome (Daily Times) • Ultimate Desi Girl (The News) • ‘Devastated’ pop icon (Daily Times) • Divorced singer and actress (Daily Times)
Whereas most of these instances present women as objects of beauty, the last two present them as powerless and suffering individuals.
There was no example in Urdu newspapers that presented women as strong and powerful; only two such instances were found in the English newspapers:
• confident Indian model-turned-actress • highest paid actress
In the English data some interesting examples of male representation are found that clearly show how media is biased in favour of male projection as powerful and strong. For example:
• a poetic genius (Daily Times) • Ex-flame (Daily Times) • Moody Salman Khan (Daily Times) • Famously infamous Salman Khan (Daily Times) • angry old man of Bollywood (Daily Times) • Salman is unpredictable (Daily Times) • Shah Rukh is intelligent (Daily Times) • Akshay is a blast (Daily Times)
Sometimes age is also referred to as a mark of identity for females. For instance:
• 9 sālā Robina Ali Qureshi (The Jinnah) • 39 year old Campbell (The News) • 34 year old former spice girl (The News)
None of the English and Urdu newspapers presented men with reference to their age.
Sometimes women are given identity with reference to men. For example:
• Bollywood kay super star Shahrukh Khan ki begum Gori Khan (The Jang) • iconic actress and the wife of the Nawab of Pataudi (The News)
As far as the representation of males is concerned on example was found where a male was identified through a reference to a female:
• Ex-boyfriend of Kate Moss (Daily Times)
Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
Conclusion
The language used in print media, specifically newspapers, is gendered typecast in the portrayal and description of women. The findings suggest that both English and Urdu newspapers represent gender stereotypically. On all the levels of analysis – thematic, pictorial and linguistic – it is found that women are used and presented as objects of beauty, powerless and fragile individuals, a source of creating sensationalism, and a means of attracting the reader. Women are typically represented by gender and not as professionals. This stereotypical representation of gender in media further reinforces the perceptions which are encoded by the social setup and background.
References
Ahmar, T 2004 Gender and Media: Pakistani perspective. SAFMA Regional Workshop on Gender and Media in South Asia. Khatmandu, Nepal. Retrieved 16 April 2009, from http://www.southasianmedia.net/conference/Gender_and_Media/gender_and_media2. htm
Bem, S L 1993 The Lenses of Gender: Transforming the debate on sexual inequality. New Haven, CT, USA: Yale University Press.
Cameron, D 1998 “Communication Skills” as a Gendered Discourse. In S Wertheim, A C Bailey and M Corston-Oliver (eds), Engendering Communication: Proceedings of the Fifth Berkeley Women and Language Conference (pp 105-116). Berkeley, CA: Berkeley Women and Language Group, University of California.
Cornell, D 2004 Gender in America. In N Tazi (ed), Keyword Gender. New Delhi: Vistaar Publications.
Dagar, R 2004 Gender and Media: Indian perspective. Retrieved 4 December 2007, from http.//www.southasianmedia.net
Delamont, S 1990 Sex Roles and Stereotypes. London: Roultedge.
Eckert, P and Ginet, S M 2003 Language and Gender. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Epstein, D 1995 “Girls Don’t Do Bricks”: Gender and sexuality in the primary classroom. In John and I S Blatchford (eds), Educating the Whole Child: Cross-curricular skills, themes and dimensions. Buckingham, UK: Oxford University Press.
Hasan, M 2001 Mass Media in Pakistan. Lahore: Aziz Publishers.
Jackson, S and Gee, S 2005 “Look Janet, No You Look John”: Construction of gender in early school reader illustrations across 50 years. Gender and Education 7(2), 115-128.
Hodgson, F W 1989 Modern Newspaper Practice: A primer on the press. London: Heinemann Professional Publishing.
Jasam, S 2001 Honour, Shame & Resistance. Lahore: ASR Publications.
Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
Maddock, S 1999 Challenging Women: Gender, culture and organization. New Delhi: Sage Publications.
Mayer, B M and Pugh, A K 1987 Language, Communication and Education. London: The Open University Press.
Menon, L 2004 Female Exploitation and Women’s Emancipation. New Delhi: Kanishka Publishers.
Oakely, A 1972 Sex, Gender and Society. London: Halper Colophon Books.
Rasul, S 2008 Language in Pakistani Crime Reporting: Use of gender specific adjectives. Pakistan Journal of Gender Studies 1, 73-84.
Reah, D 1998 The Language of Newspapers. London: Routledge.
Romaine, S 1994 Language in Society: An introduction to society. Oxford University Press.
Romaine, S 1999 Communicating Gender. TESL-EJ 4(3). Retrieved 28 April 2009, from http://tesl-ej.org/ej15/r22.html R-22
Talbot, M 2003 Gender Stereotypes: Reproduction and challenges. In J Holmes and M Meyerhoff (eds), The Handbook of Language and Gender (pp 468-486). Blackwell: Australia: Blackwell.
Warton, A S 2005 The Sociology of Gender. Australia, USA and UK: Blackwell Publishing.
Wood, J T 2005 Gendered Lives: Communication, gender and culture. Canada: Wardsworth. Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
Appendix A: Section 1 – Thematic Analysis
Table 1: Themes of News about Males and Females in The Jinnah
Details Theme of News (Males) Theme of News (Females) 1 April, p 7 Professional 3 Professional 2 Personal 0 Personal 0 Political/Social 3 Political/Social 0 2 April, p 7 Professional 3 Professional 1 Personal 0 Personal 1 Political/Social 0 Political/Social 1 3 April, p 7 Professional 3 Professional 2 Personal 2 Personal 4 Political/Social 0 Political/Social 1 4 April, p 7 Professional 2 Professional 3 Personal 0 Personal 0 Political/Social 0 Political/Social 0 5 April, p 7 Professional 5 Professional 0 Personal 0 Personal 0 Political/Social 0 Political/Social 0 6 April, p 7 Professional 3 Professional 2 Personal 0 Personal 1 Political/Social 2 Political/Social 0 Total Males (22) Females (18) Professional 15 Professional 10 Personal 2 Personal 6 Political/Social 5 Political/Social 2
Table 2: Themes of News about Males and Females in The Jang
Details Theme of News (Males) Theme of News (Females) 1 April, pp 7 & 2 Professional 0 Professional 0 Personal 0 Personal 2 Political/Social 1 Political/Social 0 2 April, pp 7 & 2 Professional 1 Personal 1 Political/Social 0 3 April, pp 7 & 2 Professional 1 Personal 1 Political/Social 0 4 April, pp 7& 2 Professional 1 Personal 1 Political/Social 0 5 April, pp 7 & 2 Professional 2 Personal 0 Political/Social 0 6 April, p 7 Professional 1 Professional 1 Personal 0 Personal 0 Political/Social 0 Political/Social 0 7 April, pp 7 & 2 Professional 1 Personal 1 Political/Social 0 Total Males (2) Females (13) Political 1 Professional 7 Professional 1 Personal 7 Political/Social 0 Political/Social 0
Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
Table 3: Themes of News about Males and Females in the The News
Details Theme of News (Males) Theme of News (Females) 1 April, p 24 Professional 0 Professional 1 Personal 0 Personal 2 Political/Social 1 Political/Social 0 2 April, p 24 Professional 2 Professional 0 Personal 0 Personal 1 Political/Social 0 Political/Social 0 3 April, p 24 Professional 1 Personal 1 Political/Social 0 4 April, p 24 Professional 3 Professional 0 Personal 0 Personal 1 Political/Social 0 Political/Social 0 5 April, p 38 Professional 1 Personal 0 Political/Social 0 6 April, p 24 Professional 3 Professional 1 Personal 0 Personal 1 Political/Social 0 Political/Social 0 7 April, p 24 Professional 1 Personal 0 Political/Social 0 Total Males (12) Females (8) Professional 10 Professional 3 Personal 1 Personal 5 Political/Social 1 Political/Social 0
Table 4: Themes of News about Males and Females in The Daily Times
Details Theme of News (Males) Theme of News (Females) 1 April, p 7 Professional 1 Professional 3 Personal 4 Personal 2 Political/Social 1 Political/Social 0 2 April, p 7 Professional 2 Professional 0 Personal 1 Personal 10 Political/Social 0 Political/Social 0 3 April, p 7 Professional 3 Professional 4 Personal 4 Personal 0 Political/Social 0 Political/Social 0 4 April, p 7 Professional 2 Professional 2 Personal 4 Personal 4 Political/Social 0 Political/Social 0 5 April, p 7 Professional 2 Professional 3 Personal 2 Personal 2 Political/Social 0 Political/Social 0 6 April, p 7 Professional 3 Professional 3 Personal 4 Personal 4 Political/Social 0 Political/Social 0 7 April, p 7 Professional 1 Professional 3 Personal 1 Personal 3 Political/Social 0 Political/Social 0 Total Males (35) Females (43) Professional 14 Professional 18 Personal 20 Personal 25 Political/Social 1 Political/Social 0 Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
Appendix B
(The Jinnah, 3 April 2009, p 7) (The Jang, 2 April 2009, p 7)
Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
Appendix C: Section 2 – Pictorial Analysis
Table 5: Frequency of Pictures of Males and Females in the Urdu Newspaper Jinnah
Details Frequency of Males Frequency of Females 1 April, p 7 5 5 2 April, p 7 0 6 3 April, p 7 2 5 4 April, p 7 0 4+1(g) 5 April, p 7 2 3 6 April, p 7 6 3+1(g) Total 15 28
Table 6: Frequency of Pictures of Males and Females in the Urdu Newspaper Jang
Details Frequency of Males Frequency of Females 1 April, pp 7 and 2 0 2 0 2 2 April, pp 7 and 2 1 3 0 3 3 April, pp 7 and 2 0 3 0 2 4 April, pp 7 and 2 1 4 1 1 5 April, pp 7 and 2 0 3 0 2 6 April, pp 7 and 2 2 4 0 0 7 April, pp 7 and 2 2 2 1 2 Total 8 33
Table 7: Frequency of Pictures of Males and Females in the English Newspaper The News
Details Frequency of Males Frequency of Females 1 April, p 24 3 5 2 April, p 24 10 5 3 April, p 24 7 4 4 April, p 24 4 7 5 April, p 24 7 4 6 April, p 24 3 2 7 April, p 24 12 4 Total 46 31
Table 8: Frequency of Pictures of Males and Females in the English Newspaper Daily Times
Details Frequency of Males Frequency of Females 1 April, p 7 7 8 2 April, p 7 6 10 3 April, p 7 6 8 4 April, p 7 11 17 5 April, p 7 7 8 6 April, p 7 12 9 7 April, p 7 6 13 Total 55 73 Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
Appendix D
(The Jang, April 5, 2009, p 7) (The Jang, April 4, 2009, p 7)
(Note: Originally each of these news items is printed on one-fourth of the page of the newspaper and the pictures are quite big in size.) Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
Appendix E: Section 3 – Linguistic Analysis
Table 9: Use of Adjectives and Compliments in Urdu Newspaper Jinnah
Date Adjectives and Compliments for Males Adjectives and Compliments for Females
1 April Bollywood adākār Mūsanīfa Mishal Pirzada Adākār Bhārti adākāra Ravina Tandun Adākār-o-model Adeel Hashmi Adākāra Meera Fīlmīstār-o-hīdāyatkār Shezad Rafiq 9 sālā Robina Ali Qureshi Mūsanīf Ahmed Aqeel Rubi Hollywood beauty star Nicole Kidman Mārūf hīdāyātkār (male) 2 April Senior adākār Habib Bollywood star Ammesha Petal
3 April Adākār Suhail Sameer Adākārā Roop Māhrūf folk-o-pop gūlūkār Malku Adākāra Meera Adākāra Sofia Ahmed 4 April Bhārtī adākāra Ria Seen
6 April Gūlūkār Abrar ul Haq Adākāra Nargis Māhrūf adākār Akshey Kumar Bollywood adākāra Piyanka
Table 10: Use of Adjectives and Compliments in Urdu Newspaper Jang
Date Adjectives and Compliments for Males Adjectives and Compliments for Females
1 April Bhārti heroin Dīpkapidkon Hollywood ki kūbsūrat adākāra Salma Haik Māshrāqī khādokhāl wālī mghrabī Salma Haik Hollywood ki khūbsūrat adākārāūn 2 April Junior bhārti adākāra Jainliya Desoza Bhūlāy bhālay Dimpal wālay cheray 3 April pushto fīlmūn kay māhrūf adākār Asif Khan choti screen ki bhārti adākāra Johi Parmar Kum Kum stage aūr film ki māhrūf adākāra khushboo Lollywood ki khūbsūrat adākāra khushboo ghazāli nainū wali 4 April Lollywood ki khūbsūrat adākāra khushboo ghazāli nainū wali Bollywood kay super star Shahrukh Khan ki begum Gori Khan Adākāra o hādāitkāra Samina Perzada 5 April, p 7 Lollywood kay star maker hādāitkār Shabab Pakistan Film industry ki sābīq adākāra Babra Keranwi Sharif
6 April, p 7 Pakistan television kay khūbrū funkār Babar sūrkh, sufaid rangat, ghazālī ānkhain, surahī- dār Ali gardan, rūkhsār bharay, sadol jisam sarū sa qad
7 April Sindhi zūbān par abūr rāknay wāla adākār Mustafa Qureshi
Proceedings, 8th International Conference on Language and Development, Bangladesh 2009
Table 11: Use of Adjectives and Compliments in English Newspaper The News
Date Adjectives and Compliments for Males Adjectives and Compliments for Females
1 April Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt British super model Naomi Campbell 39 year old Campbell 2 April iconic actress and the wife of the Nawab of Pataudi ultimate Desi Girl 3 April
4 April Acclaimed screenwriter Salim Khan actress Katrina Kaif Bollywood’s leading ladies 5 April darling of British tabloids, ex-boyfriend of Kate Moss and a poetic genius 6 April former actress
7 April Salman is unpredictable 34 year old former spice girl Shah Rukh is intelligent Akshasy is a blast
Table 12: Use of Adjectives and Compliments in English Newspaper Daily Times
Date Adjectives and Compliments for Males Adjectives and Compliments for Females
1 April International supermodel Naomi Campbell
2 April Budding actor Pop star Jamelia Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Frail Farrah Fawecett 3 April Hollywood actor Tobey Maguire and his Telly star Kelly Brook wife Jennifer Meyer posh, pretty, brainy and committed model Alexa Chung comic Alan Carr Hollywood actress Scarlett Johanasson 4 April actor Clive Owen British actress Thandie Newton Moody Salman Khan Americans Angelina Jolie and Reese Witherspoon Famously infamous Salman Khan model and actress pop icon Madonna angry old man of Bollywood French actress Marion Cotillard Ellen Page, the Canadian actress Barbie Katrina 5 April “Jaane Tu ya Jaane Na” star Reality TV star Jade Goody Leggy Lass Jessica Hart Actress Bipasha Basu 6 April Indian actor Anil Kapoor screen queens Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan devastated pop icon divorced singer and actress supermodel Gisele Bundchen 7 April Ex-flame Nandita Mahtani sassy babe gorgeous twosome confident Indian model-turned-actress black-eyed beauty highest paid actress