Gender specific speaking behavior in a controversial discussion

Case Study from the year 2020 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Other, grade: 1,0, University of Freiburg (English Department), language: English, abstract: Over the past decades a great number of research has been conducted on the differences between male and female speaking behaviour. Since many efforts have been made to establish equal opportunities for both genders several studies examined whether these changes are also reflected in their language. Most of them concentrate on informal conversations in collegial settings and come to the conclusion that the differences are rather diminishing.

This study will focus on examining gender differences in language using a sequence of a controversial discussion which was published as a YouTube video. It will give a brief review of the research within this area and then move on to analysing the recording. Special focus will be put on specific linguistic items which have been carried out in previous studies of this field.