Gender and Culture in Linguistic Change

A. In English, B.; Alwan, R.; Dhia,; A. In Linguistics, M.; M. Salih, Ahmed

	Gender and Culture in Linguistic Change
Journal of Tikrit University for the Humanities
Article 1, Volume 15, Issue 9, 2008, Pages 527-537
Authors
B. A. in English; R. Alwan; ; M. A. in linguistics; Ahmed M. Salih
Abstract
AbstractLinguistic borrowing is considered as one of the main reasons of linguistic change although many reasons are behind this process. Linguistic change through the influence of loan words or any other means could have an impact on the phonology, morphology, syntax and semantics of a language. The native speakers of the language in which change occurs may play a role in such issue.This paper attempts to investigate the role gender plays in linguistic change since previous studies like Premawardhena (2003), Chan (1994), Bernsten (1994) and Baily (1973), did not deal with this issue. It is hypothesized that linguistic change is somehow governed by the native speakers because they either welcome or hinder it. Culture is another factor that paves the way to linguistic change. A survey was made to achieve that. The value of this study springs from the importance of the topic to sociolinguists, language purists, and those who are interested in language and culture. This study came up with some important results. Gender plays a role in linguistic change since man is the cornerstone in this process. Men are more active than women in making it happens. Men communicate and interact freely in the society of the study. The more conservative society is, slower change is expected. The closer cultures to each other, linguistic change is welcomed by members of that society. Attitudes of people toward the language of foreigners is considerable.

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