GENDER AND LANGUAGE IN SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOL TEXTS: A SINGLE CASE STUDY
Journal Title: Problems of Education in the 21st Century - Year 2011, Vol 34, Issue 10
Abstract
This study deals with gender and language in school texts; how it manifested, with what consequences and how it can be addressed. A qualitative intrinsic case study of a sample of school History texts from three textbooks published post-2004 was conducted to determine the extent of the use of gender-inclusive/ exclusive language in the texts. The micro-level critical discourse analysis of the linguistic elements and texture of the texts revealed that on the 258 pages analysed, 642 occurrences of gendered language were found. All three selected texts contained occurrences of gender-exclusive language. The generic he and man were less of a problem than gender stereotyping, firstness and omission. Although the raw numbers revealed that the overall instances of gender-exclusive language in the linguistic elements were few, gender-exclusive language persisted in the texture of the texts. The solution seems to be critical literacy. Teachers are encouraged to discuss with learners why gender-exclusive language may occur in these texts and what could be done to eliminate gendered language. The procedure of this single case study could be repeated in multiple case studies of the other school subjects.
Authors and Affiliations
Sonja Schoeman
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP35017
- DOI -
- Views 296
- Downloads 0
Virtual and physical resources: a case of synergy in studying tides and rotation
Because of their very nature, virtual models are usually more abstract than physical ones. Physical models may facilitate the use of virtual models, by making links to physical world. Tides come into play in a wide vari...
AN INVESTIGATION OF VARIOUS VARIABLES’ EFFECTS ON MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS’ SKILLS OF RECOGNIZING FIGURE PATTERNS
The purpose of this study was to investigate the middle school students’ skill of determining fgure patterns in terms of the variables of gender, grade, and mathematics achievement. Being descriptive in nature, this st...
CAUSES OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR OF ADOLESCENTS
Problems of antisocial behavior today are not only consequence of bad material conditions, nowadays they ensue more and more from contradictories of rich society that gave to everyone proportionally high standards in t...
THE IMPACT OF THE ACQUISITION OF THE LETTERS IN A SYSTEMATIC LITERACY ON WRITING SKILLS
Learning letters is associated with a long-term learning. Two basic models are present in obtaining letters in a systematic literacy in Slovenia and abroad. One represents a separate acquisition of the uppercase and lo...
HIGHER EDUCATION POLICIES FOR THE XXI CENTURY: THE FUTURE OF EMERGING COUNTRIES
Brazilian universities, like the educational system in a great deal of Latin American countries, are experiencing a significant process of transition. They are facing several challenges posed by new education policy set...