A Level Language and Gender

1. Essay Question
Question:
Analyse how language, is used by these speakers
to create meaning and build relationships.
In your essay, you should also discuss how the way
the speakers behave link to Lakoff’s theory in Man
Made Language

2. Structuring your Writing
You should use the ideas in
from this A4 sheet to help
structure your ideas,
grouping ideas together
where possible

3. Recommended Structure
• Introduction: Briefly explain the context. Who are the
speakers? What are they talking about?
• Language Features: Are there any interesting features of lexis
you could explore? Are there any important semantic points to
consider?
• Spoken Language: What can you say about the use of fillers?
What about hedges? Tag questions? Who speaks the most?
Who dominates? Are they mostly co-operate?
• Linking to Lakoff: What were Lakoff’s main observations? How
do Lakoff’s arguments link to the conversation? Are her
arguments about tag questions and lexis relevant to these
speakers?

4. Writing aboutSpoken Language: Suggested
structure and example
Introduce
idea
Give
evidence
Explore
Secondary
evidence
Explore
links
Backchannelling is used by several
speakers throughout the conversation,
adding a very co-operative feel to the
conversation.
For instance, twice in the opening
exchange Martin says ‘really’ in order to
invite more information.
This choice suggests that Martin is willing
to listen to Jim, and is interested is his
stories about his holiday almost inviting
Jim to elaborate on their story.
This co-operative feel to the conversation
is also evident from the frequency of
overlaps…
Although there are only two instances of
overlaps, each time the initial speaker
maintains their turn, suggesting that
overlaps are used supportively to elicit
more information from speakers
There are several instances of
fillers used in the conversation….
For instance……
These fillers could show….. But
may also….
Interestingly, Carol also uses the
hedge ‘………’
Again, this could suggest that
she is uncertaing / unsure….

5. Integrating Research
In her 1973 work ‘Man Made Language’ Robin Lakoff argued…..
One of her central points concerned the use of tag questions, where she
suggested that…..
This use of tag questions seems to be echoed by…..
In this conversation, tag questions are used by……. (Lucy? Carol?)
For instance, the tag ‘……..’ could indicate that Lucy / Carol / Martin
Lakoff may argue that Carol / Lucy are…..
I believe, however, (or I would agree because….)