Different Gender, Different Arabic? The Case of Israel
Journal name: Acta Orientalia
Original article title: Different Gender, Different Arabic? The Case of Israel
ACTA ORIENTALIA is a journal focused on the study of Oriental languages, history, archaeology, and religions from ancient times to the present. The journal includes articles reviewed by a senior scholar in the relevant field.
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Torkel Lindquist
Acta Orientalia:
(Founded in 1922 and published annually)
Full text available for: Different Gender, Different Arabic? The Case of Israel
Year: 2010 | Doi: 10.5617/ao.5349
Copyright (license): CC BY 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
1) Introduction
The article "Different Gender, Different Arabic? The Case of Israel" by Torkel Lindquist explores the linguistic differences between men and women as expressed in the written Arabic of the Israeli press. It highlights discernible variations in syntax, morphology, and stylistic choices based on the gender of both the writer and the target audience. The research indicates that while both genders write grammatically correct Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), their choices reflect different styles and preferences influenced by social factors.
2) Linguistic Variations Based on Gender
One significant concept discussed is how men and women exhibit different preferences in sentence structure. Both genders tend to favor main clauses, but men show a higher frequency of more complex, secondary clauses, particularly when addressing other men. Women show a tendency to employ a greater number of main clauses in articles written for female audiences, whereas their usage of secondary clauses increases significantly in articles intended for both genders. This indicates that the complexity of sentence structures is influenced by the gender of the intended audience.
3) Word Order Preferences
The article also delves into the preferences for word order in the Arabic sentences produced by men and women. Men’s writing leans towards a more traditional Verb-Subject-Object (VSO) order, particularly when the audience is male. In contrast, women are more inclined to use a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure, especially when writing for a female audience. This difference suggests a dynamic interaction between gender expectations and linguistic choices, revealing that the writer's choice of word order can be influenced by the perceived preferences of their audience.
4) Use of Adjectives and Adverbs
Another important concept is the frequency of adjectives and adverbs in the writings of men and women. Men tend to use more adjectives and adverbs than women, particularly in articles targeted at a male audience. This trend reverses when women write for men, where they tend to increase their use of adjectives significantly. The findings highlight a stylistic component where men's writing showcases a richer descriptive vocabulary, while women’s writing, in contrast, tends to be more straightforward and less embellished when addressing male readers.
5) Conclusion of Gendered Writing Styles
In conclusion, Lindquist's study identifies that men and women not only write Arabic differently based on their gender but also adapt their linguistic styles depending on their intended audience. The research underscores how both grammatical and stylistic choices reveal underlying social dynamics and expectations, where men exhibit a more traditional and complex style, while women adapt by utilizing a simpler, more straightforward language when writing for men. Ultimately, these findings reflect broader themes of gender, language, and identity in societal discourse and necessitate further exploration into the factors driving these variations.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What differences are observed in Arabic writing by gender in Israel?
Women and men write different Arabic in the Israeli press, seen in sentence length, word order, frequency of clauses with adjectives and adverbs, and more. These differences stem from the writer's gender and, to some extent, the gender of the intended reader.
What linguistic features did the study focus on?
The study focused on syntax, the frequency of main and secondary clauses, morpheme use, and specific grammatical features including word order, clauses with adjectives and adverbs, conjunctions, and negation particles in Modern Standard Arabic.
How does the gender of the reader affect writing style?
The gender of the reader influences styles, particularly in adjectives. Women writers tend to use fewer adjectives when addressing men, resulting in variations in sentence structure and language complexity based on the intended audience.
What role does social rank play in language use according to research?
Research suggests that differences in language use by men and women might result from unequal social ranks rather than inherent linguistic capabilities. This social dynamic influences how men and women express themselves through language.
What grammatical features were used to compare the two genders?
The study registered various grammatical features including the frequency of main clauses, secondary clauses, adjectives, adverbs, conjunction types, and negation particles, highlighting how these vary according to the writer's gender and article subject matter.
What trends were observed in the use of adjectives and adverbs?
Women generally use fewer adjectives than men. However, when targeting male readers, women increase their use of adjectives, indicating that their choice of language adapts based on the expected audience's preferences.
What conclusions can be drawn from this study's findings?
The study concludes that gender differences in Arabic writing are pronounced in style choice, syntax, and specific grammatical features. These variations are linked to both the gender of the writer and the intended audience.
Glossary definitions and references:
Oriental and Historical glossary list for “Different Gender, Different Arabic? The Case of Israel”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of History, Linguistics, Religion, Philosophy, Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism etc.
1) Woman (Women):
Woman refers to female writers or subjects within the text. The study examines how women writers use Arabic differently from men, including their preference for certain grammatical structures and word choices.
2) Language:
Language is the medium through which the gender differences in the Israeli press are explored, specifically focusing on Modern Standard Arabic and its variations in sentence structure, morphology, and syntax depending on the writer's or reader's gender.
3) Power:
Power relations are considered in the context of language, with theories suggesting that gender influences language use due to power dynamics and social status differences between men and women, as discussed by researchers like Noelle Moreau.
4) Error:
Errors refer to ungrammaticalities noted in the articles, such as mistakes in agreement or missing relative pronouns, which are registered to compare the frequency of mistakes between genders.
5) Speech:
Speech differences between genders have been extensively studied. In this context, the focus is on written Arabic, where similar patterns of gender-specific language use are observed in the Israeli press.
6) Communication (Communicate, Communicated, Communicating):
Communication refers to the written discourse analyzed in the study. The variations in how men and women communicate in the press are highlighted through the linguistic features examined.
7) Shala (Sala):
[see source text or glossary: Sala]
8) Grammar:
Grammar is a key aspect of the study, with specific grammatical features such as word order (SV, VS), the use of secondary clauses, and particles of negation analyzed to reveal gender differences in Arabic writing.
9) Student:
Students, particularly doctoral students like Michael Barak, are among the individuals acknowledged for their contributions or support to the research conducted by Torkel Lindquist.
10) Conversation:
Conversations are alluded to in the context of natural discussions and daily social environments, which are analyzed to understand how language reflects gender differences, though the focus here is on written communication.
11) Environment:
Environment pertains to the social settings in which language is used and studied, influencing how gender differences manifest in written and spoken language.
12) Literature:
Literature forms the backdrop for understanding Arabic's role and evolution. Men's writing in the Israeli press may reflect a stronger connection to classical literature and more archaic forms of Arabic.
13) Education:
Education influences language use, as noted in studies like those analyzing the educational context and its impact on gender-specific writing styles in various societies.
14) Politics:
Politics is relevant as some of the Arab writers in the Israeli press are politically active, including Islamists, which may influence the conservative nature of their Arabic.
15) Child (Children):
Child-related articles, such as a child's letter from Gaza, are included in the analysis, highlighting how topics oriented towards children are represented differently by male and female writers.
16) External:
External influences refer to factors like the dominant language (Hebrew) and colloquial Arabic, which impact the written Arabic of women and men differently, as women might be more open to such influences.
17) Identity:
Identity, particularly gender identity, influences language use. The study explores how men's and women's sense of social and cultural identity affects their Arabic writing styles.
18) Nature:
Nature encompasses the inherent characteristics and development of language, which include gender-linked variations as observed in the use of Modern Standard Arabic in written media.
19) Black:
Black English is referenced in the study of tense marking and sociolinguistic patterns, providing a comparative backdrop to understand how different social factors influence language use in various communities.
20) Sound:
The sound of social life, including in natural conversations, is part of the broader analysis of how gendered language manifests in daily interactions, though the focus here is on written Arabic.
21) Human:
Human communication is the overarching theme, with the study focusing on how gender differences in language use reflect broader social and cultural dynamics among Arabic-speaking communities in Israel.
22) Young men (Young man):
Young men are a specific audience in some newspapers, such as the section 'Sports and young men,' which indicates articles intended for a male readership and analyzed for gender-specific language use.
23) Individuality:
Individuality refers to the personal writing styles of men and women, with women showing a stronger use of the first person, indicating an individualistic approach in their writing as compared to men.
24) Manifest (Manifested, Manifestation, Manifesting):
Manifestation relates to how gender differences in language use are observed and expressed in the written Arabic of the Israeli press, showcasing variance in style, sentence structure, and word choice.
25) Experience:
Experience, particularly academic and social, influences how men and women use language. Women's exposure to more diverse environments like Israeli universities may explain some of the stylistic variations in their writing.
26) Existence:
Existence of gender differences in language use is debated among theorists, with this study contributing to the discussion by providing empirical evidence of such differences in Modern Standard Arabic.
27) Marriage:
Marriage is a subject in some articles written mainly for women, analyzing themes like traditional practices and gender roles, which also influence language use and the portrayal of social dynamics.
28) Religion:
Religion, especially Islam, influences the conservatism in Arabic writing among male writers, reflecting stronger adherence to traditional language forms connected to religious texts like the Koran.
29) Practice:
Practice refers to the habitual use of language features like syntax and morphology, with gendered differences in these practices observed in the Israeli press, shaped by social and cultural contexts.
30) Sanskrit:
Sanskrit is referenced historically as a prestigious language used by men in India, contrasting with women speaking Prakrit, highlighting historical examples of gendered language use.
31) Prakrit (Prakrt):
Prakrit, spoken by women in historical India, is referenced to illustrate past gender language differences, where men and women used different language forms, paralleling some of the study's findings in Arabic.
32) Extreme:
Extreme frequencies (high or low) in language use, such as the low use of passive voice, are noted. These variations contribute to understanding different stylistic preferences between men and women.
33) Lexicon:
Lexicon refers to the vocabulary used in written Arabic, with differences observed in the choice of adjectives, adverbs, and conjunctions between male and female writers in the Israeli press.
34) Family:
Family themes appear in articles, particularly those directed at women, reflecting societal roles and interests, showcasing how gender influences not only language use but also the choice of topics.
35) Memory:
Memory is the subject of some articles, particularly in the context of conflict, where memory and cultural narratives are explored, often reflecting gendered perspectives and language use.
36) Indian:
Indian languages like those encountered by Otto Jespersen show historical gender differences in language use, providing a comparative framework for understanding similar phenomena in Arabic.
37) Future:
Future tense and its grammatical markers in Arabic are part of the broader analysis of syntax and verb forms, though they are noted as less significant in revealing gender differences in this study.
38) India:
India serves as a historical reference point for gendered language differences, illustrating how social hierarchy and gender roles have long influenced language use across different cultures.
39) Judge:
Judge, specifically an Arab woman judge in basketball, is a subject in one of the articles analyzed, demonstrating how professional roles and achievements are discussed in gender-specific contexts.
40) Space:
Space, in terms of narrative and thematic focus, varies in articles. Adverbs indicating time or space are analyzed to understand how men and women differently structure their writing.
41) Jana:
Jana, a language of eastern California identified by Edward Sapir, shows historical gender differences, where men and women used different verbs for the same actions, analogous to findings in Arabic.
42) Matu:
[see source text or glossary: Matu]
43) Kana:
Kāna and her sisters denote verbs in Arabic that modify equational sentences. Their use is part of the syntax analysis in the study to see how men and women structure their sentences differently.
44) Fear:
Fear, as an emotional and psychological theme, appears in articles aimed at women, such as one discussing love and fear, showcasing the influence of topic on language use.
45) Love:
Love is explored in articles particularly directed at women, reflecting themes that influence language use, syntactical choices, and stylistic elements in gender-specific contexts.
46) City:
City, such as the rewriting of Gaza's history, is a thematic focus in some articles analyzed for gender differences in language use, highlighting how urban narratives are constructed differently by men and women.