ASSOCIATION OF GENDER AND LANGUAGE: A CASE STUDY OF TRANSGENDER CAITLYN JENNER
Abstract
Sociolinguistics is the study of language while interacting in society and language is tightly knitted with our experiences. Difference of gender specific language is a debatable issue in linguistics. This study aims to identify the changes which occur in the language of transgenders after changing their gender. For this purpose, the study uses a case study of Caitlyn Jenner who is a transgender. This study observes the transformation of Caitlyn Jenner, a transgender who previously was a male athlete; however, after changing his gender, became a model and producer of a reality show named ‘I am Cait’. The data is taken from YouTube videos, including the times of her being male (Bruce Jenner) and female (Caitlyn Marie Jenner). Result of the study shows that Caitlyn has adopted the female features of speech which emphasizes a person’s language may change with the transition of the gender, hence pertaining the fact of each gender has its own unique features in language which changes.
Keywords: Difference Theory, Dominance Theory, Genderlect, Language Differences
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