Untypical Linguistic Features of Males and Females and Gender Linguistic Crossing
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
I Untypical Linguistic Features of Males and Females and Gender Linguistic Crossing السمات اللغوية غير النمطية بين الذكور واﻻناث و التقاطع اللغوي الناتج عن اختﻻف النوع اﻻجتماعي By: Ghaida ‘Mohammed Amen’ Yousef Supervised by: Prof. Zakaria Abu Hamdieh A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Master’s Degree in English Language and Literature Department of English Language and Literature Faculty of Arts and Sciences Middle East University January, 2018 II Authorization III IV Acknowledgement First and foremost, I would like to thank Allah , the Almighty, for giving me the strength, knowledge, ability, and opportunity to undertake this research study and to persevere and complete it satisfactorily. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisor and role model Prof. Zakariya Ahmad Abu-Hamdiya for his tremendous support, extraordinary patience, and immense knowledge. This thesis would not have been possible without his guidance. Due thanks are also extended to Prof. Bader Dweik, Dr. Majid Abdul-Latif, Dr. Norma Al- Zayed, and Dr. Tawfiq Yousef who willingly shared the fruits of their knowledge with my classmates and I during our two-year journey. Special thanks go to the committee members: Dr. Mohammed Haj as an internal examiner and Prof. Fawwaz Al-Abed Al-Haq as an external examiner from Al-Yarmouk University. Finally, I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude to my gorgeous family who supported me through thick and thin. This dissertation stands as a testament to their unconditional love and encouragement. Moreover, I am incredibly thankful for Uncle Tariq Nassar for his endless and unconditional support. V Dedication I dedicate this humble work to my father’s soul and my supportive family VI Table of Contents The Subject The page Thesis Cover Page ........................................................................................................................... I Authorization ................................................................................................................................... II Thesis Committee Decision ............................................................................................................ III Acknowledgment………………………………………………………………….………...……………………IV Dedication ………………………………………………………………………….………………………………V Table of Contents………………………………………………………..…………….…………………VI Lists of Tables ………………………………………………………………………..………………….X English Abstract ……………………………………………………….…………………………………..……XI Arabic Abstract……………….………………………………………...………..……….…………………….XII Chapter One: Introduction ............................................................................................................. 1.1 Background of the study ............................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Statement of the problem ........................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Objectives of the study .............................................................................................................. 4 1.4 Questions of the study ................................................................................................................ 4 1.5 Significance of the study .......................................................................................................... 5 1.6 Limitations of the study ............................................................................................................. 5 1.7 Limits of the study ..................................................................................................................... 6 1.8 Definitions of terms ................................................................................................................... 6 Chapter Two: Review of Related Literature ................................................................................. 2.0 Theoretical Literature ............................................................................................................. 8 2.1 Goals of Communication……………………………………………………………………8 2.2 Gender difference in linguistic styles ........................................................................................... 8 VII 2.2.1 Word Choice............................................................................................................................ 8 2.2.2 Use of Hedges ..................................................................................................................... 14 2.2.3 Use of Standard Forms ....................................................................................................... 16 2.2.4 Ways of interaction…………………………………………………………….……17 2.2.4.1 The Use of Tag Questions ............................................................................................. 17 2.2.4.2 Use of overlaps and interruptions ................................................................................. 19 2.2.4.3 Use of Directives .................................................................................................... 22 2.3 Empirical Studies .............................................................................................................. 24 2.3.1 Linguistic Styles ......................................................................................................... 24 2.3.1.1 Word Choice ........................................................................................................... 24 2.3.2 Use of Hedges ............................................................................................................. 27 2.3.2.1 Hedging in Same-Sex Conversation taking place in Private Contexts............................................................................................................28 2.3.2.2 Hedging in Mixed-Sex Conversation taking place in Public Contexts….…………………………………………………………….…….28 2.3.3 Differences in the ways of interactions ....................................................................... 30 2.3.3.1 Tag Questions ......................................................................................................... 30 2.3.3.1.1 Tag Questions in Same-Sex Conversations in Public Contexts ..................... 30 2.3.3.1.2 Tag Questions in Mixed-Sex Conversations in Public Contexts ................... 31 2.3.3.2 Support, Agreement, Disagreement Utterances ..................................................... 33 2.3.3.2.1 Support, Agreement, Disagreement Utterances in Mixed-Sex conversation in Public Contexts .............................................................................................. 33 2.3.3.2.2 Support, Agreement, Disagreement Utterances in Same-Sex Conversations in Private Contexts ......................................................................................... 34 2.3.3.3 Use of Overlaps ....................................................................................................... 35 2.3.3.3.1 The Use of Cooperative Overlaps in Same-Sex Conversations .................... 35 2.3.3.3.2 The Use of Cooperative overlaps in mixed-sex conversations ...................... 37 2.3.3.4 Use of Interruptions ................................................................................................ 37 2.3.3.4.1 Interruptions in mixed-sex conversations taking place in public contexts .... 38 VIII Chapter Three: Methodology and Procedures 3.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 43 3.1 Research Methodology ................................................................................................. 43 3.2 Sample of the Study ...................................................................................................... 44 3.3 Population of the Study ................................................................................................ 44 3.4 Study Data and Source ................................................................................................. 44 Chapter Four: Findings of the Study 4.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 48 4.1 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................ 48 4.1.1 Findings of the Study .................................................................................. 48 4.1.1.1 Results Regarding Word Choice in the First Panel Debate ............ 49 4.1.1.2 Gender Differences in the features of interaction in the First Panel Debate ............................................................................................. 49 4.1.1.3 Results Regarding Word Choice in the Second Panel Debate ....... 57 4.1.1.4 Gender Differences in the ways of interaction in the Second Panel Debate ............................................................................................. 59 4.1.1.5 The overall frequencies and percentages of the linguistic features used by speakers in both episodes ................................................. 65 Chapter Five: Discussions, Conclusions, and Recommendations 5.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 69 5.1 Discussion of the Findings .........................................................................................