The impact of gender identity on language variability

Ostapenko Anna Borisovna ORCID: 0009-0003-4621-6296 PhD in Sociology Associate Professor; Higher School of Linguodidactics; Pacific National University 136 Pacific Street, office 332c, Khabarovsk, Khabarovsk Territory, 680035, Russia 009098@togudv.ru

Currently, the concept of "gender" is receiving a lot of attention. His influence on various aspects of human life is undeniable. Currently, there are a number of studies in the field of gender linguistics in science that use different approaches to substantiate the variability of language based on gender identity. However, their systematic generalization is not fully presented in the scientific literature. The purpose of our study is to conduct a chronological analysis and interpret some of the works of significant scientists in the field of gender studies.

This study is relevant because the question of the causal relationship between the influence of social gender on the variability of language is a discursive one. There are several approaches and well-founded studies in this area of knowledge, but this issue needs methodological analysis. Language is a verbal picture of the world, and research in the field of gender linguistics is of great importance for creating a conflict-free communicative space. Therefore, there is a need for a comprehensive analysis and generalization of available data in the field of the study of femininity and masculinity in linguistics. The scientific novelty of the research is due to the use of the method of diachronic analysis of a number of works in the field of gender variability of language.

The subject of the research is the dynamics and transformation of gender studies in linguistics, the peculiarities of the formation and functioning of gender stereotypes in language. The object of the study is the early work of genderologists in comparison with more recent studies of gender variability of language. The theoretical basis of the research was the works on the linguistic aspects of gender by such foreign researchers as I. Herder, V. Humboldt, J. Grimm, F. Mautner, B. Whorf, D. Homberger, R. Lakoff, B. Elhinni, as well as studies on the verbalization of gender stereotypes in the language of such Russian scientists as A.V. Kirilina, E. I. Goroshko, M. Y. Gorbunova., E. S. Zinovieva, N. G. Bozhanova, I. H. Migranova, M. I. Doynikova, E. D. Kovaleva, A. S. Koshmina, N. I. Vlasenko, S.P. Khizhnyak.

In this work, the methods of diachronic analysis of scientific sources were used to consider the dynamics of the influence of gender and gender stereotypes in linguistics, generalize data, systematize and interpret them.

Questions about the influence of gender on language formation arose in the ancient world. The concept of "gender", derived from the Latin word gender ("gender" or "case"), means a person's social gender, male or female, which affects his behavior in society and how it is perceived by others. Biological gender is not the dominant factor determining a person's social gender. It is the concept of "gender" that is used to define masculine and feminine personal characteristics and behavioral strategies that distinguish men from women and influence social relationships ^[1].

From the moment of birth, a person becomes part of the gender system. There are traditional birth rituals that differ depending on the biological sex of the child; the color of clothes, household items, and even the types of toys for boys and girls also differ. Newborn boys are fed more and girls are talked to more, as men are associated with strength and women with caring. In addition, in the process of upbringing and education, gender norms are introduced into the minds of children, defining masculine and feminine strategies of behavior in accordance with gender identity. Gender stereotypes form ideas about a "real man" and a "real woman" ^[2].

The question of the relationship between biological sex and the grammatical category of gender in language arose in the ancient world. The symbolic-semantic hypothesis explained the existence of the grammatical category of gender in language as a consequence of the existence of people of different biological sexes. This idea was supported by a number of well-known scientists, such as I. Herder, W. Humboldt and J. Grimm, who made significant contributions to the study of language and its connection with culture and society.

I. Herder (1744-1803) believed that language is a reflection of the spirit of the people and their culture. In his work Ideen zur Philosophie der Geschichte der Menschheit (Ideas for the Philosophy of Human History), published between 1784 and 1791 in four volumes, he emphasized that language is shaped by social context and biological differences. On the one hand, man is a product of nature, and on the other – the result of social conditions. This is reflected in the structure of I. Herder's work. He began by analyzing natural conditions, and then moved on to the socio-historical aspects of human life. I. Herder opened his review with a description of the Earth and its position in space, trying to show how the uniqueness of our planet, its rotation around the Sun and axis, as well as the features of the atmosphere affect the structure of the human body. According to I. Herder, man is organically connected with nature and is a part of it, but at the same time possesses a number of distinctive features. His main difference from animals is the ability to "walk with his head up," which freed his hands and played a significant role in his survival and spiritual development. I. Herder argued that in the process of communication, people created language and developed intelligence, which, unlike instincts, is not innate, but the result of historical development. He argued that grammatical categories such as gender can be related to the perception of male and female roles in society ^[4].

W. Humboldt (1767-1835) developed the idea that language is not just a communication tool, but also a way of thinking and perceiving the world. In his works, he emphasized that grammatical categories such as gender can reflect social and cultural differences. He believed that language shapes the understanding of gender roles and identities ^[5]. V. Humboldt emphasized that language is indeed not just a means of communication, but also an important tool that shapes our perception of the world and understanding of social structures.

J. Grimm (1785-1863), known for his work in the field of Germanic studies and folklore, also explored grammatical categories. In his grammatical research, he analyzed changes in languages and their relationship to cultural and social aspects, including gender differences. He emphasized that language and its grammatical structures can be linked to historical and cultural traditions that define the roles of men and women.

Based on the ideas of these scientists, it can be said that grammatical categories, word formation, and the lexical fund of a language can reflect and influence gender roles and identities. For example, in languages where nouns have grammatical gender, such as Russian or German, the use of masculine and feminine forms can influence the perception of certain professions. For example, in Russian, the word "doctor" is usually perceived as a male profession, while "doctor" may sound like a less serious alternative. In German, the word "der Arzt" (doctor) implies a man, whereas "die Arztin" (female doctor) emphasizes gender. This may reinforce stereotypes that medicine is a "male" field. In English, the use of the pronouns "he" and "she" to refer to people can help reinforce gender stereotypes. For example, if books use examples with men as leaders and women as assistants more often, this may give students the idea that certain roles are more suitable for one gender. The word "nurse" is traditionally associated with women, while "doctor" may be perceived as more neutral. This can influence the choice of professions by young people, forming their idea of which roles are suitable for men and women. These examples highlight how language not only reflects, but also shapes our perception of gender roles and identities, influencing how we see ourselves and the world around us.

In some languages, such as Swedish, the introduction of gender-neutral pronouns (for example, "hen") avoids appealing to traditional gender roles. This change in language can help create a more inclusive society where gender identities are not limited by stereotypes.

The ideas of I. Herder, V. Humboldt and J. Grimm contributed to the understanding of language as a social and cultural phenomenon, and their work continues to be relevant in modern research on gender and language. And their conclusions that language is a reflection of culture and social realities emphasize the importance of changing language models to achieve equality.

Over time, the unequal social status of men and women and the stereotypical dominance of the male over the female, due to cultural and historical traditions, have affected the contextual meanings of masculine and feminine words. Masculine words were associated with strength, power, and energy, while feminine words reflected traits of passivity and subordination. Studies of the category of gender in terms of morphology and syntax have been conducted, as well as the hypothesis of the influence of gender on human perception of linguistic reality ^[6].

At the beginning of the 20th century, linguistics became increasingly interested in the problem of gender variation in language. It was at this time that the transition from biological determinism to gender studies took place. One of the key figures who influenced the development of gender linguistics is the Austrian philosopher and lexicographer F. Mauthner (1849-1923), who dealt with issues of language and its connection with thought and society. His work on the analysis of language as a social construct has become the basis for new approaches to studying the relationship between language variability and gender aspects of human life and provides a useful context for understanding how language can be a tool that both supports and challenges gender stereotypes. In his work Die Sprache, F. Mautner emphasized that language is not a neutral instrument, but reflects social structures and power relations. This statement can be applied to the gender variability of language, where language serves as a means for expressing and consolidating gender norms ^[7]. F. Mautner also investigated how the meanings of words are formed in context. Gender terms and their use can vary depending on cultural and sociolinguistic factors, which emphasizes the dynamism of language. F. Mautner explained gender differences in language by the influence of socio-historical factors. He believed that the creation and comprehensive use of language is inherent in men, while women are able to master only the language created by men ^[8]. His conclusions were based on the problem of gender inequality in society. For example, in the ancient theater, women's roles were played by men, and only after women were allowed to participate in theatrical productions, a female version of the language emerged. F. Mautner was the first scientist to draw attention to the gender variability of language, but his ideas remained practically unexplored for a long time. Later, the gender aspect was more actively studied in vocabulary and syntax, exploring the features of the grammatical concept of "gender", the semantic field of its use and various identical lexical units in the language. The purpose of these studies was to describe and explain the use of words of different genders in language, the contextual areas in which these words are most often used, and the assessment of men and women as positive or negative, as well as the linguistic means underlying this process ^[8]. Works by F. The Mauthner papers provide an important theoretical context for the study of gender variation in language.

In the second half of the 20th century, gender studies in various scientific fields intensified. A trend known as feminist linguistics has emerged in linguistics (in English and German). Supporters of feminism accused the language of androcentrism, that is, of focusing not on people in general, but more on men. They recognized language as a means of gender discrimination due to the dominance of masculine forms and the equivalence of the concepts of "man" and "human", while female concepts often had a negative connotation. Gender analysis of language and accusations of its asymmetry were aimed at changing patriarchal society and the position of women in it by transforming language as a means of social interaction.

Feminist linguistics is based on the theory of linguistic relativity proposed by B. Whorf and E. Sepir in various studies, the so-called Sepir-Whorf hypothesis, which states that "language structures and directs thought, and therefore human consciousness is largely determined by the characteristics of language" ^[9]. Developing the assumption of androcentrism of language, A.V. Kirilina suggests the following characteristics:

- Identification of the concepts of "man" and "man". For example, in English, German, and French, they are designated by the same word: "man" in English, "homme" in French, and "Mann" in German.;

- unification of masculine nouns that can be used in a gender-neutral meaning, that is, to designate persons of any gender. For example, "director", "manager" and "boss" are masculine nouns.;

- femininity and masculinity are differentiated and opposed to each other in qualitative (positive and negative assessment) and quantitative (predominance of the masculine gender as a general one) relation, which is an indicator of gender asymmetry ^[10].

These arguments have led feminist linguists to conclude that all languages are built on a masculine view of the world and favor masculinity over femininity.

Another line of research studied the peculiarities of the discourse of men and women. This trend suggests that traditional patriarchal stereotypes present in language influence speech behavior. For example, E. Homberger identified several features of female speech behavior.:

- Women often use diminutive suffixes;

- There are more forms of politeness and mitigation in women's speech, statements formulated as questions, and expressions of insecurity, even if they are confident in themselves.;

- In communication acts, women more often take on the role of listeners and are able to respond to the problems of the interlocutor.;

- In general, women's speech behavior is characterized as more humane ^[11].

These characteristics in communicative interaction create the impression of female weakness and self-doubt.

R. Lakoff has made a great contribution to gender linguistics. As she emphasized in her work "Language and the Place of Women" in 1973, language as a whole is androcentric, and the image of a woman in the worldview created by language carries a sense of inferiority. According to R. Lakoff's research, traditional female speech behavior contributes to the perception of women as insecure and incompetent. When women adopt male speech strategies, they can be perceived as masculine and aggressive, which contradicts traditional social norms ^[12]. In his book "The Language and Place of Women," R. Lakoff analyzes how language patterns characteristic of women shape the perception of their confidence and competence in society. She argues that these patterns are not natural or innate, but arise as a result of social norms and expectations that determine how women should speak and behave. R. Lakoff notes that women often use diminutive forms such as "baby", "kitten" or "sunny", even when talking about serious topics. This may give the impression that they are less serious or less confident in what they are saying. For example, in a business correspondence, a woman might write, "I hope you don't mind if I offer you a little idea," instead of the more confident "I have a suggestion that I would like to discuss." This use of diminutive forms can be explained as an attempt to soften one's opinion in order to avoid conflict.

R. Lakoff also emphasizes that women often use a questioning intonation at the end of their statements, which may sound as if they are looking for confirmation or approval. For example, the phrase "We can start the project next week, right?" it can be perceived as a lack of confidence. This contrasts with a more confident style, which may sound like "We'll start the project next week." This style can make listeners perceive women as less authoritative. R. Lakoff also notes that women may use words that belittle the significance of their statements, such as "only" or "only". For example, the phrase "I just wanted to say that..." it may give the impression that the statement is not so important or significant. This can affect how their opinion is received, especially in a professional environment.

R. Lakoff's observations demonstrate the fact that the language practices used by women can unknowingly undermine their authority and confidence in the eyes of listeners. The use of questioning intonation and softening words such as "only" or "only" can give the impression that women are seeking approval or are unsure of their statements. This, in turn, can help reinforce stereotypes about gender roles, where women are perceived as less confident and authoritative than men. The language we use not only reflects our perception of the world, but also shapes it. It is important to be aware of how such language practices can influence the perception and evaluation of opinions, especially in a professional environment where confidence and authority play a key role. Adopting a more confident communication style can help women better express their ideas and opinions, promoting more equal interaction in society.

In the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, research in the field of gender linguistics focused on the analysis of the verbalization of gender stereotypes in language. According to the research of Russian scientists E. I. Goroshko and O. Y. Lukina, language practices and models are formed under the influence of social norms and expectations that dictate how women should behave in society. This is most often interpreted as gender stereotypes. From an early age, girls are often taught that their role is to be polite, caring, and unobtrusive, while boys are encouraged to be more aggressive and assertive. This forces women to use language that reflects these norms, which in turn affects how others perceive them ^{[13, 14]}. At a business meeting, a woman might say, "I'm not sure, but maybe we could consider..." while a man might say, "We have to do this." The first option may be perceived as less definite, which may affect how colleagues perceive her ideas. During social interaction in a group, a woman may use the phrase: "It's probably not very important, but ...", which may reduce the importance of her opinion. A man, on the other hand, can start by saying, "This is important, and I want to discuss it." When discussing personal topics, a woman may say, "I just want to know what you think about it," while a man may ask a direct question, "What is your opinion about this?" Such a difference in approaches can lead to the fact that a woman's opinion will be perceived as less important.

Understanding gender-related language patterns is key to understanding how gender roles shape communication and influence the perception of women in society. In her works, O. Y. Lukina argues that language does not just reflect reality, but actively participates in its creation, forming social norms and expectations ^[15]. According to N. G. Bozhanova, in addition to stereotypical ideas about speech style, there is a widespread opinion in society that there are "female and male themes" ^[16]. For example, in a company, men are more likely to talk about politics, cars, hunting or fishing, while women discuss parenting, clothes, cosmetics or cooking recipes.

Using the method of diachronic analysis, we can refer to similar conclusions in modern research on gender linguistics. In her works on the gender aspect in poetry, I. H. Alkhlavova concludes that "women tend to give a more emotional and pathetic description of their environment, love and family life, because women usually depict the sphere of life that is close and understandable to themselves" ^[17]. Russians Russian Studies gender differences, I. H. Migrantova argues that "there are no sharp boundaries between male and female speech in the Russian language, and one should rather talk about the tendencies and preferences of men and women in choosing certain linguistic means than about linguistic units that are rigidly fixed only for men or only for women's arsenal."" ^[18].

According to foreign researcher B. Elhinni, modern science recognizes that gender is not a property that a person possesses, or something that belongs to a person ^[19]. Rather, gender can be defined as a set of individual actions dictated by the social attitudes and cultural traditions of a given society ^[20].

Research on gender variability in linguistics shows that language shapes our perception of the world and influences how we perceive various social roles. For example, using gender-neutral language in a professional environment can help change perceptions of which roles are appropriate for men and women, as well as help break down stereotypes and create a more inclusive society. In some languages, such as Swedish, the introduction of gender-neutral pronouns (for example, "hen") avoids appealing to traditional gender roles. This change in language can help create a more inclusive society where gender identities are not limited by stereotypes. In English, gender-neutral phrases with the addition of the lexeme "woman" and "man" are increasingly used in everyday and professional discourse to identify gender. For example, "policeman-police woman (male policeman-female policeman)", "stun man-stun woman (male koskader-female koskader)".

Examining the use of gender-neutral language in the university environment in Germany, M. I. Doinikova notes that recently most EU countries, as well as the United States and Great Britain, have been paying great attention to the principle of linguistic correctness, which is implemented primarily through an inclusive language that excludes the separation of people into groups based on gender, nationality, religion and any otheror other signs. Consequently, the main task of a gender-neutral language is to choose language tools that help avoid gender discrimination ^[21].

Developing the idea of the influence of gender neutrality of language on linguistic norms (using the example of English), Russian researchers E. D. Kovaleva, A. S. Koshmina, N. I. Vlasenko argue that the transformation of society towards gender-neutral thinking and tolerance primarily affects language, since it is a mobile and flexible tool that reacts quickly. on various innovations. The appearance of new words is a natural reflection of social reality. And despite criticism of changes in language forms and norms, the gender neutralization of morphosyntactic and lexical features marking various parts of speech as masculine or feminine is increasingly developing ^[22]. So, in English, the impersonal pronoun "they" is used for generalization, and the word "man" is replaced by the gender-neutral word "people".

Russians Russian philologist S.P. Khizhnyak, studying the formation of feminitives and gender-neutral names of professions in Russian and English, gives examples from the Internet resource "Feminizer of words - generator of feminitives" ^[23], which uses all variants of feminine suffixes of the Russian language for the formation of women's professions.:

Shakhter ⚧ ka | shakhter ⚧ iha | shakhter ⚧ inya | shakhter ⚧ kinya |

Shakhter ⚧ essa | shakhter ⚧ ica

Carpenter ⚧ inya | carpenter ⚧ essa | carpenter

Loader ⚧ inya | loader ⚧ essa | loader ⚧ itsa

As you can see, the suffix method of word formation gives a careless color to the feminitives of the professions of the male labor market. The professions "female miner", "female carpenter", "female loader", formed by phrases, sound more respectful. In his work, S. P. Khizhnyak notes that Russian society is cautious about the formation of new forms. The ways of forming gender-neutral lexical units are determined by the linguistic capabilities of language systems ^[24].

When language becomes more neutral and free from bias and stereotypes, this can lead to a shift in public consciousness and the perception of women as equal participants in various aspects of life. Changing language patterns and breaking down established stereotypes can contribute to a more equal and confident participation of women in public life. This not only creates a more inclusive language environment, but also helps to rethink the social roles that women occupy in professional activities, personal relationships and other aspects of life.

In conclusion, it should be noted that it is important to recognize the intensification of gender-oriented research in linguistics. This aspect can be viewed and interpreted from a new perspective and at the intersection of many areas. Gender studies provide a new perspective on many linguistic phenomena and processes, giving them a more multifaceted assessment. Research in this area not only highlights the importance of language in shaping gender identity, but also suggests ways to create a more just society in which everyone has the opportunity to be heard and accepted regardless of gender identity. They show that language is not only a means of communication, but also a tool that actively participates in the formation and maintenance of social norms and structures. Understanding these dynamics can help in developing strategies to combat gender stereotypes and create a more equitable social order.