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Written Communication, Vol. 21, No. 4, 344-367 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0741088304270028
© 2004 SAGE Publications

The Relationship between Gender and Topic in Gender-Preferential Language Use

Anna Janssen

University of Otago

Tamar Murachver

University of Otago, tamar{at}psy.otago.ac.nz

This study investigates the roles of biological and psychological gender, as well as assigned discussion topic, in the written language use of nonprofessional writers. University students wrote passages on three specific topics—one socioemotional and descriptive, one functional, and one involving political debate. Effects of biological gender were minimal. Psychological gender played a greater role, particularly when measured explicitly rather than implicitly. Passage topic played the greatest role in language use. Rather than enacting their own gender through their writing, writers used language befitting the passage topic. More female-preferential devices featured in passages involving socioemotional descriptions and more male-preferential features were employed in passages involving political debate. The study demonstrates the relative impacts of gender and contextual constraints on communication.

Key Words: gender • language • topic • written communication • psychological gender


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Home page
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[Abstract] [PDF]