Language and the Sexes

by Francine Frank, Frank Anshen

In a highly readable and lively text, the authors explore the way language mirrors our cultural assumptions, especially those concerned with gender distinctions. Focusing on contemporary issues, they draw on their knowledge of sociolinguistics and other languages to illustrate how sexism may be hidden by habits of language. In making the reader aware of these, they suggest options for change.

Language and the Sexes synthesizes a wide range of up-to-date information and research under several naming, stereotypes of language behavior, the politics of conversation, forms of address, asymmetry in vocabulary, and possibilities of reform. The book concludes with suggested projects related to these topics, guidelines for non-discriminatory language use, and an extensive bibliography.

140 pages, Paperback

First published June 30, 1985

Reviews

[Monroe Lemaire · Rating 3 out of 5]

a simple, approachable introduction to how language and social behavior influence each other. contains plenty of anecdotes and examples, but rarely delves deeper than surface level; seems like a good text to begin learning about the subject.

[Kathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just...what...how did this...WHAT?

Maybe this textbook was much better at its time of publication (1983), and maybe it's just little ol' me sitting here in 2013 who has the problem...but I really think that this book istelf has a lot of problems in terms of what it is trying to argue/the execution of that arguing.

Too many examples are too easy. I wish there were a better word for it, but there really isn't. These obsessions over "IS THIS STEREOTYPE REAL?" are frustrating because there is too much generalization across the Frank/Anshen board, so it doesn't matter if the stereotype is real because the examples are so GENERAL/stereotypical in themselves.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Required college reading.
Review: Everyone has an opinion.