Women and men use language differently. Women tend to use hedges, tag questions, intensifiers and polite forms more, while men swear more and are more direct. There are also differences in conversational styles, with women using more rapport talk and men using more problem-solving talk. Perceptions of language can also differ by gender, with terms like "chairman" and "fireman" seen as male-oriented. In mixed-gender classrooms, teachers may interact more with boys, who can dominate discussions, while girls receive more academically useful attention. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis also suggests that the language we use shapes our thoughts in particular ways. In conclusion, while generalizations about gender differences in