Robin Lakoff has taken what could have been a confusing book into a very interesting read. This, of course, is obviously about our previous book by Ramage. However, I'm not going against the book because I did enjoy the odd paths he was taking us throughout the book. Lakoff's use of language shows us how it is used every day and in the most interesting ways.
Lakoff touches on different issues in the country. One part, in particular, that caught my eye was the section on page 44.
Lakoff touches on different issues in the country. One part, in particular, that caught my eye was the section on page 44.
THE MARKEDNESS
OF THE
FEMININE (AND THE FEMALE)
This really got my thoughts running about different terms that we use in our country. It's just interesting to see that Lakoff points out the generalization of the species in terms of the male definition even though the females have their own defined word. "In most of these cases, the term for the male of the species is morphologically simpler.
ex: "tiger" vs. "tigress," that is, "tiger-ess" (45).
This same concept applies to the human race for males and females.
Lakoff also uses different occupations to reinforce the male stigma that's behind them, such as policeman, spokesman, and even the school term of 'freshman'. Yet, the jobs that use language to define between the gender in the position are turning to unisex words to include both in one word. One great example is the idea of a waiter/waitress. From working at Cracker Barrel,
Lakoff also uses different occupations to reinforce the male stigma that's behind them, such as policeman, spokesman, and even the school term of 'freshman'. Yet, the jobs that use language to define between the gender in the position are turning to unisex words to include both in one word. One great example is the idea of a waiter/waitress. From working at Cracker Barrel,
we refer to them as 'servers' as are many other restaurants. This idea would probably be in favor of Lakoff's book because she even notes how feminists believe English speakers to assume 'humans' and 'males' as the same thing. Getting rid of the male/female definition breaks that idea of it being the same therefore making the idea of 'servers' less sexist.
Lakoff's book is rather amusing and almost makes me want to get interested in politics. However, I don't see that actually happening for quite some time. It's the topics, such as women's issues, that really strike my fancy. Who knew that language has such power over people and it all depends on how you present it. Lakoff does make you realize how often we generalize words like getting the attention of friends, "Hey guys..guess what! I just got a puppy!" regardless of their gender. This doesn't seem to bother many of us, but this does make me cautious for the day that I'm teaching a classroom full of students. Knowing my luck, I'll get the one girl who gets offended and starts a riot in class.
1 comment:
I was always the girl in high school that started a riot in class...
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