|
|
This is only a preview of the paper
Click here to register and get the full text.
Existing members click here to login
|
|
|
This paper is a summary/critique of the ideas and views put forth by Dale Spender in her novel, “Man Made Language”. I will cite and discuss examples from the novel and include my own views while interpreting Spender’s criticisms of how women are aware that male superiority is a myth and how they deal with this knowledge in numerous ways. ... (Spender, 1980)
Language and Reality
‘The objects and events of the world do not present themselves to us ready classified. ... (Briton, 1975) Spender believes that this statement by Briton is solely referring to males. Spender asks, “Who are these people who ‘make the world’ and what are the principles behind their division, organization and classification.” (Spender, 1980) Spender believes that it is the men who have created the world in which we live, and if women are to live in this world, they must explore the relationship of language and reality.
Spender believes that language is not neutral. ... This is how sexism, has been preset into our language. ... (Spender, 1980)
In studying this section of the novel, I understood Spender’s argument, stating that sexism, was not earned by females. But rather, encoded into our language by the dominating male attitudes that surrounded them. Therefore, the sexist language that males have imposed, have become huge obstacles for females, this because of the fact that this attitude/language has become a symbol in the minds of males. ... “The way a question is formed determines in part the answer that can be given; in language/ sex research there are numerous questions which have been formulated in terms of the inadequacy of women’s language, with the result that many of the answers are confined to measurements of that inadequacy. It seems that all that is necessary is a basic assumption that there is something wrong with women and it is possible to find in their language, by legitimated, objective means a vast array of peculiarities which help to justify their subordinate position in society.
Approximate Word count = 1585
Approximate Pages = 6.3
(250 words per page double spaced)
|
|
|
|
|
|