In her article Kramer studied folk-linguistics and focused on the differences in the way men and women speak. Folk-linguistics claims women do not speak as effectively or as powerfully as men. Men speak assertively and swear frequently. Women use unconfident sentences, flowery phrasing, and talk endlessly. According to folk-linguistics female form is emotional, proper, mindless, and high-pitched.
To carry out her study Kramer analyzed cartoons that contained adult speech from 13 consecutive issues of The New Yorker magazine, from February 17 to May 12, 1973. Kramer asked 25 male and 25 female students at the University of Illinois to assist her in identifying characteristics of women's and men's speech. Each student was given a list of captions (but not the cartoons themselves) from the same four magazines.
Kramer's analysis of the cartoons through the students and her
own perception was similar to those differences as defined by
folk-linguistics. In the cartoons women did not speak as frequently
and in as many different locations as men. Men appeared to be
in control of all conversation. Women often seemed incapable
of handling a social situation. The women in the cartoons spoke
less forcefully than men. Men were exhibited as swearing more
times than women. According to some of the students involved
in the study, profanity and harsh language distinguished male
speech from female speech. Men used simpler, direct, and more
assertive language. An interesting point made by Kramer was that
in some cartoons women were using "mommy talk", when
children were not even involved. Sex-linked differences are difficult
to quantify, but the cartoons in general reflect the common stereotypes
about men's and women's speech tactics.
Kramer concluded that beliefs about sex-related language differences
may be as important as the actual differences. As long as women
play a subordinate role, their speech will be stereotyped as separate
and unequal.
Cartoons depend on the use of exaggerated humor, but in a unique way still prove what folk-linguistics claim about sex-related speech differences. Through my personal observations I think the characteristics pointed out in this article were reasonably stated and essentially true. Men seek control in conversations more often than not and like to feel dominant. When men know what they are talking about they are most likely to speak assertively. Most women do speak passively and hide out in unconfident sentences. They are more likely than men to put statements into question form. Women do tend to babble and go the round about way of telling stories.
Aside from a few exceptions, I think the study done by Kramer is accurate. Age, social status, and economic position are different variables that may affect the writer's or speaker's style. Kramer's analysis of cartoons is too general because it groups all men and women together. There are numerous types of people in our society that speak all different ways. There is not one typical male or female. An example of this is the statement that was made about men being portrayed as swearing more than women. In the article Kramer points out that aside from her study not all women in society today speak freely of coarse and gross expressions. I agree with Kramer, because some women swear just as frequently as some men.
One thing to keep in mind while reading Kramer's article is that it was written 23 years ago. Language does not change rapidly, but it does change over time. Along with language, society has changed over time. Kramer indirectly accuses society for women's language being seen as inferior. I agree because despite women's gains in society today, women are still seen as unequal to men. As long as the sexes are unequal, I think language will also be perceived as unequal.
After analyzing the results of her study, Kramer points out that women speak less than men in the cartoons. This goes against folk-linguistics theory of how women babble and talk endlessly. The students analyzing the captions commented that men may try harder to be funny and make more comical statements than women. This discrepancy could account for why the men were seen talking more frequently than the women. Even though it is not portrayed in the cartoons, women do like to talk.
At the end of the article Kramer stated some questions that she and her colleagues intended to study further. These questions included whether a greater number of sex differences may exist in the spoken language compared to the written language. The cartoon study contained captions of what people said, but it was all creative written work. Another important factor needed to be studied further was if there are speech differences in regard to if a woman is talking to another woman, a man, or a general audience.
In her article Kramer effectively discussed stereotypes exhibited
in comic art.
©Kari Nystrom, Winona (MN) State University, 30 January 1997. This document may be freely distributed for educational use as long as this notice of its authorship accompanies its distribution.
Return to annotated bibliography on language, gender, and writing.