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socially constructed, it is possible for a female to see herself as masculine or a male to see himself as feminine.
People have views of themselves about being feminine and masculine. Some people are more feminine, some more masculine, and some perhaps a mixture
of masculine and feminine. Those views reflect their gender identity and guide them to behave in society. In Glee Television Series Season 1, Kurt Hummel is the first
openly gay character. He is physically seen as a man. However, he adapts more feminine context rather than masculine context. It reflects from the way he sees
himself, and the way he behaves and talks in his society.
3. Women’s Language
The language used can show the nature and the role of an individual in society. Women and men use language differently, especially when they are
speaking. Women are claimed to have less confidence to talk than men since women are considered powerless. Edward states that “the eternal stereotypes of women are
weak, changeable and unreliable, endlessly, talkative” 2009, p. 127. Those stereotypes are related to what Lakoff 1975 says about women
experiencing linguistic discrimination in society. The discrimination happens in two ways: in the way they are taught to use language, and in the way general
language use treats them. Women are expected to be polite and should speak with standard forms because they are guardians of society Holmes, 2001. Lakoff
1975 also says that women are not allowed to show their temper or complain in rage.
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4. Women’s Language Features
Lakoff 1975 creates a list that shows women’s tendency in using language. Lakoff 1975 describes that women’s speech is characterized by linguistic features
such as the following:
a. Lexical Hedges or Fillers
Lakoff 1975 describes lexical hedges or fillers as one of the characteristics of women’s language features. Lakoff 1975 defines hedges as words that convey
the sense that the speaker is uncertain about what he or she is saying or cannot vouch for the accuracy statement p. 53. The use of hedges by women occurs as a
fully legitimation when they are unsure of the fact or statement, and justifiable when they try to mitigate the possible unfriendliness or unkindness of statement. You
know, short of, well, you see are examples of lexical hedges or fillers.
b. Tag Questions
Tag question is one of the women’s language features. This feature usually shows women’s insecurity and hesitancy in their speech. Lakoff 1975 observes
that women use question tags more frequently than men. She defines tag-question as:
a declarative statement without the assumption that the statement is to be believed by the addressee: one has an out, as with questions. Tag gives the
addressee leeway, not forcing him to go along with the views of the speaker Lakoff 1975, p. 16.
Holmes 1986 states that there are two functions of tag. They are modal meaning and affective meaning. The modal meaning shows degree of uncertainty
and shows that the speakers need confirmation. The affective meaning is divided PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
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into two functions. The first is facilitative that shows speaker’s solidarity or positive attitude to the addressee. The second is softening that shows politeness or speaker’s
concern for addressee’s feeling Holmes, 1986, p. 3. Tag questions are used by women in many ways. For examples, She is really nice, isn’t she?, really?, See?,
…, you know? , and many others.
c. Rising Intonation on Declaratives
Rising intonation on declaratives is one of women’s features according to Lakoff 1975. She defines raising intonation in declaratives as:
a peculiar sentence intonation pattern, found in English as far as I know only among women, which has the form of a declarative answer to a question,
and is used as such, but has the raising inflection typical of a yes-no question, as well as being especially hesitant Lakoff 1975, p. 17.
Women use this feature by raising the pitch of their voice in the end of statements when they express their uncertainty. For the example, It’s really good?,
Dinner’s in half an hour? .
d. Empty Adjectives
Lakoff 1975 defines empty adjectives as a group of vocabulary terms indicating speaker’s approbation or admiration for something. Some of these
adjectives are neutral as to sex of speaker; men or women may use them p.12. However, adjectives such as charming, cute, lovely, fabulous are largely confined
to women’s language. Women have a tendency in conveying their emotional reaction rather than giving specific information. Therefore, they use empty
adjectives more often than men. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
