Talking Difference: On Gender and Language(7 Gender and Psychology)

I love the warmth and wit in this book, but I say this in no way to detract from the seriousness of its subject matter and its incisive treatment by Mary Crawford... this is a great book and an important book which articulates current critical thinking about research around gender and language. Mary Crawford writes brilliantly, powerfully and lucidly... I thoroughly recommend it' "- British Psychological Society Psychology of Women Section Newsletter " This refreshing re-evaluation of current wisdom - both academic and popular - about men's and women's language critically assesses the abundant social science research of recent years and its representation in the mass media. Exploring a wide range of topics, from talk shows to self-help books, Mary Crawford offers a new understanding of the role of language practices in both maintaining - and disrupting - gender inequality. " "The book addresses such provocative questions as: Why has the study of gender and language so often focused on the limitations of women's talk? How do academic practices constrain our understanding of how gender relations are re-created and maintained in language use? Why do assertiveness texts usually ignore indirect modes of speech such as humour and storytelling?

Review :
"Undoubtedly, one of her most important points is that theroies of the formation of gender identities in (pre-) adolescents have not been able to explain the particular realization of either identity (female and male)' - Journal of Sociolinguistics Research is a political activity [and] this book demonstrates how important it is for researchers to remember this and to constantly "critique their discipline's assumptions and practices." Talking Difference provides an excellent critical review of a good selection of the research in language and gender published over the last 20 years, including a substantial amount from the area of psychology... I found this an exhilarating book, written with energy and wit. Crawford maintains a consistently critical approach, identifying contradictions and ambiguities in popular theories of gender difference, and exposing conceptual and methodological weaknesses in language and gender research. The volume is well-structured and readable; it will prove very valuable in undergraduate and beginning postgraduate courses in language and gender or in women's studies, as well as offering much which should interest students of communication studies and social psychology' - Language in Society I love the warmth and wit in this book, but I say this in no way to detract from the seriousness of its subject matter and its incisive treatment by Mary Crawford... this is a great book and an important book which articulates current critical thinking about research around gender and language. Mary Crawford writes brilliantly, powerfully and lucidly in dealing with issues which, whether or not we are researching in areas around talk and language, are crucial to us all... There is so much in this book. It is thought-provoking and political, interesting and entertaining. It is refreshingly clear about issues which so often seem confused. There's no way that I can do it justice so you need to read it. I thoroughly recommend it' - British Psyc