Gender Differences in Chinese Language Use

Gender Differences in Chinese Language Use

Introduction

Many studies in the field of gender and language use presume that there exist several differences. The paper critically discusses the comparison of three research articles, particularly on the methodology used when studying gender differences in Chinese language use. However, the main objective is focusing on how the techniques in each article we successfully used to test the researcher’s hypothesis. Additionally, the extent to which the research question has been resolved or not and the future directions to take from the three articles. The articles studied are from the authors Wei Hong, Wang & Lifeguard, and lastly, Chan’s article.

Firstly, in the article by Wei Hong, the author used a questionnaire survey technique for the methodology part while conducting the study. Also, the results were analyzed statistically using a (T-test) method on gender differences. The technique used in the study successfully showed that there is closeness in gender differences in request patterns. Likewise, the data confirmed that females are much better polite while making requests compared to males. Secondly, Wang & Lifeguard, in their study, used a questionnaire that was twofold, and their results were successful and showed that female participants were topmost when it comes to gradual change when P promotion is increased. Lastly, Chan used the techniques of observations and published works to analyze gender differences in Chinese language use.

Moreover, the two articles used different methodology techniques (surveys, observations, and questionnaires) to successfully conduct the study on gender differences in Chinese language use. Using a survey technique, there is a possibility of collecting data from a huge number of respondents. It is true to say that the larger the respondents’ number, the more accurate the information would be derived from the conducted survey as compared to other methods.

Again, using a survey technique depending on the population used as well as the type of information being analyzed, there are possibilities of administering survey questionnaires in-person, even through online, mobile, and mail. Next, when it comes to the technique on a questionnaire based on the gender-related studies, the technique is best for collecting data in survey research. The advantage of using the questionnaire method is by use of standardized questions that specifically follows a particular scheme with the aim of collecting individual on such topics.

Additionally, observation techniques may also be used to study gender-related topics. Observations are of importance as they only involve information collections that do not include asking of questions. The technique is much more subjective because it involves an observer or a researcher who adds their judgment on data use. Observations measure situations that are dynamics like the difference in gender language use, which sometimes it is challenging through the use of other data collection methods. Wei Hong, in his article, claims that gender differences in language use are the universe in Chinese. When it comes to higher-ranking from lower-ranking men are much better polite than women.

Wang & Lifeguard, in their study, focused mainly on young people and used the method of questionnaires arriving at the results. The study was only limited to age and should have at least majored in a larger sample. Also, Wang & Lifeguard focused on language varieties within a specified area in china for the locals and newcomers. They were hence concluding that their results showed female preferences in the use of the Chinese language.

Wei Hong, in his study on gender differences in the Chinese language used the technique of questionnaire survey, which to some extent, was better compared to the other authors. In his research, women are better than men when it comes to Chinese language speaking. The results were statistically analyzed, which means the method of analysis provided accurate results.

In the previous several decades, there has been an exploration of research on the same question and nature, the existence between women and men. The question on the extent to which women and men use language differently has also been common but not specifically the Chinese language. Gender differences in language use have been studied by using the actual words that are used by individuals. Previously, studies people may use various ways of changing the function of context.  For broad research on how women and men differ in their Chinese language use, there is a need for nontraditional methods having large samples. Large samples are required to distinguish the smaller differences between women’s and men’s in the Chinese language.

Numerous studies have analyzed the topic of gender differences in language use using a very small number. Therefore, generalizing about the existence of the difference between men and women. In the future, there is a need to explore gender differences in Chinese language use in a large data set of spoken and written text samples by the use of a computerized analysis tool. Thus, through the exploration of why and how women and men use the Chinese language differently, there will be an empirical resolution to those questions.

Lastly, the research presented in the three articles on gender differences in Chinese language use falls within the categories of traditional areas, mostly linguistics. The types of data used included quantitative studies, observational data, surveys, and questionnaires. Language has played a key role in socialization and the construction of gender roles in Chinese. The techniques used successfully resulted in data that are similar despite the type of method employed in the study. In addition, previous studies have resulted in a few contributions from the language of Chinese based on the explosion of the topic.

References

Chan, M. K. (1998). Gender differences in the Chinese language: A preliminary report. In Proceedings of the ninth North American conference on Chinese linguistics (Vol. 2, pp. 35-52). The University of Southern California.

https://www.jstor.org/stable/23756688?seq=2#metadata_info_tab_contents

Wang, L., & Ladegaard, H. J. (2008). Language attitudes and gender in China: Perceptions and reported use of Putonghua and Cantonese in the southern province of Guangdong. Language Awareness, 17(1), 57-77.)