A Study of Conversation Traits in Punjabi Family Setting: An Application of Tennan’s Genderlect Theory

Abstract

The present research article aims to analyze language traits used by females and males in a domestic setting. For this purpose, total of four conversations between males and females have been selected. Selected talks have taken from household settings between husbands and wives in the family. They speak the same dialect as the Punjabi language. Data has been recorded in audio form and then transcribed for research purposes. The model applied to explore differences between language usage analysis is Deborah Tennans' (1990) Difference theory from her book "You Just Don't Understand” because it is based upon mens' and womens' language attributes. Aspects chosen for rationale are order vs. proposal and advice vs. understanding. Features used in conversations are interpreted carefully as language traits build social structure in a specific cultural context and are used to differentiate gender based on its practice. This paper is significant because it focuses on how males and females use language differently while speaking the same dialect in family circle subconsciously, what type of traits could be found in male and female languages or genderlects, to recognize and appreciate the dialect of the other sex and accomplish shared regard and understanding, and the way gender influences language roles.