-
The Language Of Feminism And Its Impact On The Society
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 4]
Page 3 of 4
-
-
-
The
persistent sexism in Africa is, however, matched with women’s continued
aggressive demand for equal places in men’s former citadel of power and
privilege. The chorus African women say to men “whatever the case maybe,
you will never again hear us pronounce the words of the Virgin Mary,
‘thy will be done’ while smiling at your despotic powerâ€. (Josephine
Felicite in Moses, C.G. and Rabine, L. 308-309). They argue that it is
better for men to desire from them those noble and generous feelings
which must exist between equals than those mercenary feelings which a
slave has for his master. Consequent upon this quest and argument, there
is a recent definition of womanhood in the context of the African
cosmic order: “A human being endowed with all the capabilities and
talents required to effectively function and make impact on all levels
of life within society†(Adeife Osemeikhiam, 21).
Notwithstanding the above stance, there still abounds in Africa,
evidence of gender stereotypes which simply means a collection of
commonly held beliefs or opinions about what are “appropriate†behaviors
and activities for males and those that are “appropriate†for females.
As a result of this, even though men support women’s condemnation of
their (women) societal deprivations, men’s language still betrays subtle
inclination to sexist socialization.
The New Lexicon Webster’s
Encyclopedic Dictionary of the English Language, Sexism is exemplified
firstly as attitudes and institutions, often unconscious that judge
human worth on the grounds of gender or sex.
It is explained
as prejudice or discrimination usually against women, based on their
gender. Sexist socialization, therefore, refers to the process by which
infants and children are brought up to imbibe attitudes and practices
that discriminate against women on the grounds of their gender.
This work examines So Long a Letter with a view to highlight its
characteristic language usage and as well as the psychological
disposition that informs such use of language. Research findings by
anthropologists, educationists and sociolinguistics show that
traditionally, males use non-standard language; females use the language
of rapport while males use the language of report; discursive language
style is meant for women while men are given to the language of theories
and abstractions; females use polite language meant to maintain harmony
and strong relationship as well as to keep conversations open whereas
males use the language of assertiveness and insistence. Women use the
language of solidarity but men use the language of the expert.
Statement of the Problem
Men
in Africa make women understand that they, the men, are the head of
the family that is, they are superior to women. They see women as being
weak and as a result, women have no say in the activities of the
community. They have no rights and are subjugated to do whatever he the
men want them to do especially in Africa. Women are made to feel
inferior and this breeds some sort of ill feelings in women.
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 4]
Page 3 of 4
-
