Essay --

Some theorists, like Lakoff, that both genders are innately different when it comes to communication and therefore both genders are treated differently (Lakoff 1975: 50). Foels, Driskell, Mullen, and Salas believe that both genders do not communicate differently in the least and instead communication techniques vary according to the situation or context in which a person interacts (Foels, Driskell, Mullen, Salas 200: 676-677). Some, like Tannen and Wood, even believe that the main distinction between male and female talk is not that both genders communicate differently; it is that males and females simply misunderstand each other (Tannen 1990: 363,368; Wood 2009: 7-8, 25). Arguments from theorists Cameron, Coates, Ostermann, West et al, and Harvey will also be explored when analyzing the gender distinctions evident in communication. Recognizing particular cues that concern a certain situation can be taught and may not be gender-dependent. There do seem to be appropriate ways to comm unicate based on what one is attempting to achieve in conversation – having nothing to do with gender. Examples in the transcription of the conversation of four females I observed show that females tend to speak in higher pitches. But other theories may suggest that women are merely socialized to communicate in this way – based upon culture, environment, context, etc. Robin Lakoff suggests that women tend to use â€Å"tag questions,† which illustrate an uncertain and weaker picture of questioning compared to that of an authoritative and aggressive male form of questioning in communication (Lakoff 1975: 54-58). Lakoff also suggests that women use hedges and imperatives more often when communicating. For example, questions like â€Å"It is sort of cold (hedge). Wh... ...lities in dating and comparing the study’s findings with the transcription will add value to what the study determines is â€Å"girl talk.† Like the study suggests, and what society generalizes as well, female communication differs systematically in many ways from that of male communication. I also want to analyze other ways of communicating more effectively, ignoring the notion of gendered talk and what implications that may have – what happens when a male or female steps out of their schema and maybe communicates opposite of what is expected of him or her. My transcription contains cross-cultural communication as well, which may suggest other preconceived notions on female communication. Exploring female communication from other cultures and comparing it to our cultured communication may also suggest that communication differences are only situational or contextual.