The use of feminism, CLA and critical discourse analyses in the stimulation of awareness of gender-issues in African communities
- Ramaite-Siobo, Patricia Elelwani.
- Authors: Ramaite-Siobo, Patricia Elelwani.
- Date: 2012-08-14
- Subjects: Feminism , Language and languages - Sex differences , Gender identity , Sexism in language , Discourse analysis , Language awareness
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:9180 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5631
- Description: M.A. , Language plays an important role in maintaining and reflecting socially structured power roles. According to Poynton, (1985:3), contemporary feminism has focused a great deal of attention on the issues of socialization into gender roles and sexist discourse. Such issues are interrelated because situations to which children are exposed from the day of their birth, in which they themselves become ultimate participants, are the primary means by which their socialization is effected (Poynton, 1985:3). Many feminist critiques of language have specifically concerned themselves with representation, and have concluded that languages are sexist. This implies that languages 'represent' or 'name' the world from a masculine viewpoint, and 'in accordance with stereotyped beliefs about the sexes' (Cameron, 1990:12). It is this 'male monopoly of naming', which has detrimental effects on relationships between women and men. Some feminists, therefore, affirm that many languages have an underlying semantic rule, whereby male is positive, and female negative, which results in the 'tenets of male chauvinism being encoded into language' (Cameron, 1990:12). Moreover, the reason why languages are structured in a sexist manner is that their rules and meanings have been literally 'man made', and women have been excluded from naming and defining? (Cameron, 1990:12) Another issue which raises serious concern is that language used in the media is highly sexist, and there is irony in the fact that even on the eve of the new millennium, the media in democratic South African still perpetuate prejudices and sexual stereotypes. Newspapers and magazines still feature articles on superficial issues such as physical beauty and appearance, and these issues, which should not matter to women, are still regarded as a measure of women's worth. Ironically, beautiful bodies, hair and clothes cause more concern than the appalling rape statistics. According to Thuli Nhlapo, whose article in the Sunday World is titled 'Nineties Women oppressed by vision of beauty'; this is a violent backlash to feminism, which uses images of female beauty as a political weapon against women's advancement (Sunday World, 23 May 1999). A study of discourse analysis as well as critical language awareness would therefore be a consciousness-raising 'struggle', which will ensure that women in South Africa are liberated from all forms of oppression and abuse, more especially, sexism in language. It is important to note that culture plays an important role in the oppression of women. It is therefore not surprising that in African culture, language awareness of the lexicon of certain concepts pertaining to the oppression and abuse of women, such as date rape, sexual harassment, sexism, femicide and many other 'problems that are without names', which affect women, is still non-existent. This implies, therefore, that for the plight of women who are affected by such transgression mto be addressed, studies such as this one will have to play a very dominant role in influencing policy change and implementation in as far as language awareness is concerned. it will also be the aim of this study to initiate both women and men in African communities into the wiles of discourse.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ramaite-Siobo, Patricia Elelwani.
- Date: 2012-08-14
- Subjects: Feminism , Language and languages - Sex differences , Gender identity , Sexism in language , Discourse analysis , Language awareness
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:9180 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/5631
- Description: M.A. , Language plays an important role in maintaining and reflecting socially structured power roles. According to Poynton, (1985:3), contemporary feminism has focused a great deal of attention on the issues of socialization into gender roles and sexist discourse. Such issues are interrelated because situations to which children are exposed from the day of their birth, in which they themselves become ultimate participants, are the primary means by which their socialization is effected (Poynton, 1985:3). Many feminist critiques of language have specifically concerned themselves with representation, and have concluded that languages are sexist. This implies that languages 'represent' or 'name' the world from a masculine viewpoint, and 'in accordance with stereotyped beliefs about the sexes' (Cameron, 1990:12). It is this 'male monopoly of naming', which has detrimental effects on relationships between women and men. Some feminists, therefore, affirm that many languages have an underlying semantic rule, whereby male is positive, and female negative, which results in the 'tenets of male chauvinism being encoded into language' (Cameron, 1990:12). Moreover, the reason why languages are structured in a sexist manner is that their rules and meanings have been literally 'man made', and women have been excluded from naming and defining? (Cameron, 1990:12) Another issue which raises serious concern is that language used in the media is highly sexist, and there is irony in the fact that even on the eve of the new millennium, the media in democratic South African still perpetuate prejudices and sexual stereotypes. Newspapers and magazines still feature articles on superficial issues such as physical beauty and appearance, and these issues, which should not matter to women, are still regarded as a measure of women's worth. Ironically, beautiful bodies, hair and clothes cause more concern than the appalling rape statistics. According to Thuli Nhlapo, whose article in the Sunday World is titled 'Nineties Women oppressed by vision of beauty'; this is a violent backlash to feminism, which uses images of female beauty as a political weapon against women's advancement (Sunday World, 23 May 1999). A study of discourse analysis as well as critical language awareness would therefore be a consciousness-raising 'struggle', which will ensure that women in South Africa are liberated from all forms of oppression and abuse, more especially, sexism in language. It is important to note that culture plays an important role in the oppression of women. It is therefore not surprising that in African culture, language awareness of the lexicon of certain concepts pertaining to the oppression and abuse of women, such as date rape, sexual harassment, sexism, femicide and many other 'problems that are without names', which affect women, is still non-existent. This implies, therefore, that for the plight of women who are affected by such transgression mto be addressed, studies such as this one will have to play a very dominant role in influencing policy change and implementation in as far as language awareness is concerned. it will also be the aim of this study to initiate both women and men in African communities into the wiles of discourse.
- Full Text:
The experiences of women academics in a male-dominated environment
- Authors: Petersen, Nadine Felicity
- Date: 2012-08-27
- Subjects: Women - Education (Higher) , Sex discrimination in higher education , Feminism , Women - Social conditions
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:3182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6597
- Description: M.Ed. , The focus of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of women academics in a male-dominated environment, at a South African university. This report moves from the contention that the original classification of the academic world as a `man's world' still holds true for present day women academics and argues that the only way in which women's experiences in academia can be validated is through an in-depth documentation and analysis hereof. The essay begins by examining the patriarchal origins of the academic world and then claims that these origins have an impact on the power relations, structure, organisation and procedures within the university. A qualitative research design was used to explore the experiences of women academics in male dominated environment. Indepth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of ten academics, from the level of senior professor to that of junior lecturer. The constant comparative method of data analysis was used to search for recurring themes and patterns. This study revealed that the experiences of women academics at a South African institution of higher education, an institution traditionally dominated by men, to be similar to that of women academics in other parts of the world. The findings of this research essay illustrate that the women academics at the Rand Afrikaans University identify both positive and negative aspects to their positions as women academics. Positive aspects include the lessening of visible, overt discrimination and the advantage of flexible working hours. Some of the negative experiences include the double workload of women academics, their ambivalent feelings about academia and the impact of operating in a `man's world' on their reactions and behaviour. The study also highlights the importance of personal and professional support structures for women academics. The essay concludes with a number of possible recommendations, which includes staff development activities especially in the arena of training for gender sensitivity for all role-players in the academic arena.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Petersen, Nadine Felicity
- Date: 2012-08-27
- Subjects: Women - Education (Higher) , Sex discrimination in higher education , Feminism , Women - Social conditions
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:3182 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/6597
- Description: M.Ed. , The focus of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of women academics in a male-dominated environment, at a South African university. This report moves from the contention that the original classification of the academic world as a `man's world' still holds true for present day women academics and argues that the only way in which women's experiences in academia can be validated is through an in-depth documentation and analysis hereof. The essay begins by examining the patriarchal origins of the academic world and then claims that these origins have an impact on the power relations, structure, organisation and procedures within the university. A qualitative research design was used to explore the experiences of women academics in male dominated environment. Indepth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of ten academics, from the level of senior professor to that of junior lecturer. The constant comparative method of data analysis was used to search for recurring themes and patterns. This study revealed that the experiences of women academics at a South African institution of higher education, an institution traditionally dominated by men, to be similar to that of women academics in other parts of the world. The findings of this research essay illustrate that the women academics at the Rand Afrikaans University identify both positive and negative aspects to their positions as women academics. Positive aspects include the lessening of visible, overt discrimination and the advantage of flexible working hours. Some of the negative experiences include the double workload of women academics, their ambivalent feelings about academia and the impact of operating in a `man's world' on their reactions and behaviour. The study also highlights the importance of personal and professional support structures for women academics. The essay concludes with a number of possible recommendations, which includes staff development activities especially in the arena of training for gender sensitivity for all role-players in the academic arena.
- Full Text:
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