AS English language- gender

AS Gender

Theories:

Zimmerman and West- this theory explores the gender difference of females and males in conversation. The concept of interruptions is discussed within this theory. This concluded that over 90% of males interupt in conversation and that the desired state for females is to be silent during conversation. 

Peter Trudgil- this theory studies pronouncian and how it varies depending on social class and gender. A common fault in an individuals pronouncian would be dropping the letter 'h'. It was concluded that females are more likely to pronounce the full lexis and are less likely to drop specific letters. Overt prestige and covert prestige are discussed and linked in with this theory. 

Pamela Fishman- Fishman focuses on women's roles in conversation and the concept of shift work that women seen to do in conversation. This theory concludes that women keep the conversation going. 

Deborah Tannen- conflict vs compromise, orders vs proposals, information vs feelings, status vs support,  advice vs understanding and independence vs intimacy 

Spender, 1980 quoted ' Boats as well as cars are seen as female because they are objects that have traditionally been under the control of men. They are physically attractive objects.'