Language and Gender - Key Terms

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Amelioration
The process whereby a words meaning becomes more positive over time
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Connotation
Associations - the underlying idea you get when a particular word is used
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Default assumption
The immediate presumption we have that a particular role is carried out by someone of a particular gender
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Denotation
The dictionary definition
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Euphemism
Dressing a word or phrase up so that it seems less harsh, eg. passed away
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Folklinguistics
Ideas about language encoded in popular sayings, such as proverbs
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Gender scripts
The idea that the sexes adopt roles because they are male or female
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Generic terms and pronouns
Use of the pronouns 'he', 'his', 'him', etc. when really the addressee wants to address all genders
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Marking
A term can be 'marked' if it is designed to show some transgression from the 'normal' assumption, eg. managerESS
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Patriachal
Male controlled
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Pejorative
A word that has gradually taken on a more negative meaning eg. tart
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Lexical asymmetry
Where equivalent terms do not have equivalent meanings, eg. governor is a ruler of a province whereas a governess is a teacher/tutor
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Semantic derogation
Where male terms have positive connotations and female terms have negative connotations, eg. bachelor / spinster
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Associations - the underlying idea you get when a particular word is used

Back

Connotation

Card 3

Front

The immediate presumption we have that a particular role is carried out by someone of a particular gender

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

The dictionary definition

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Dressing a word or phrase up so that it seems less harsh, eg. passed away

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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