Speaking Up

by Allyson Jule

From slut-shaming to the allegedly shrill voices of female politicians, from vocal fry to online misogyny, the language women use (and the language used about them) is as controversial as it has ever been. Our language use and our gender have an enormous impact on the way we understand ourselves and the world around us, and the way we are treated by society. Using the latest academic research, Allyson Jule tackles some of the most pressing issues facing feminism today, including how language use and related ideas about gender play out in the home, workplace and online. It turns out that many popular ideas about gender and language are more complicated than they first appear. This book will change the way you think about language, and give you the tools to challenge the world around you.

Genres: Nonfiction

144 pages, Paperback

Published July 3, 2018

Reviews

[James Biser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Allyson Jule is an expert of language. This book is extensively researched and well organized. It discusses how understanding of gender and sex in society is well understood by analysis of language. The author explains that in today’s world “sex” is a physical trait (anatomical male or female), while “gender” has come to represent a decision about identity. This book is a fine education for the reader. It includes an index, glossary and references (for those interested in furthering research).

[Maïlis M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

If the book does raise the question of gender, I found it more centered around feminism and women. It's definitely a beginners guide to feminism and to gender studies, and I would recommend it to anyone who would like to discover the subject but doesn't know where to start, as it does speak and quote some of the most important figure in feminism and gender studies.

I only put 3 stars as I was already aware of most of the content (even if I did learn some things in the chapter dedicated to religion).

[Ang Quine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very light and throwaway review of some gender and language studies. Focus on was more on gendered behaviour and not much discussion about which language is used to describe women and their behaviour. Not what I hoped it would be.

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice introduction to the way gender is used in English but I felt this book was too narrow in focus and not at all intersectional.