dialogues. In their dialogues, they produce different particular conversational topics that reflect gender differences in language between men and women and
they also produce different amount of talk in conversations.
2.2.2 Sex and Gender
According to Meyerhoff 2006:202, the typical basis for differentiating sex and gender is that sex is a biological category and gender is a social and
cultural category. This statement explains that the term sex refers to a biological categorization. It bases on reproductive potential that distinguishes male and
female. In short, sex can be determined easily from the genital organ. Gender is a social property which means something which is constructed
through relationships with others and through an individual’s adherence to certain cultural norms and proscriptions Meyerhoff, 206:202. Based on the
statement, it is very easy to differentiate between sex and gender. It has been known from the previous explanation that sex is biologically constructed from
our genital organ, while gender is socially constructed from the communication style of men and women by knowing the various dimensions of form and manner
in which men and women communicate Aries, 1996:147. Tannen 1993:302 states that:
―Women, to a greater extent than men, are expected to talk, and do talk, simply in order to keep the interaction flowing smoothly
and to show good will toward others, and they are expected to talk, and do talk, about personal feelings and other socio
emotional matters relevant to interpersonal relationships to a
greater extent than do men.‖ The statement above explains that when women speak about personal
feelings to their friends in the same-sex group, they can speak longer rather than men because they want to create closeness and intimacy with hearers. In this
case, talking about personal feelings can be one of the characte ristics of women’s
language. While for men, a talk is oriented toward solving problems and maintaining dominance and assertiveness. Furthermore, men are less responsive;
their talk is more abstract and less personal Aries, 1996:4. Therefore, men do not talk frequently about personal feelings.
2.2.3 Language and Gender
