论文 浅析英语俚语中的性别歧视现象.docx

1、论文 浅析英语俚语中的性别歧视现象 （2014届） 毕业论文（设计） 题 目： 浅析英语俚语中的性别歧视现象 专业： 英 语 班级： 学号： 姓名： 指导教师： 教务处制 年 月 日摘要 性别歧视，主要指的是对女性的歧视。几千年以来，女性在社会、政治、经济方面都受到不平等的待遇。男尊女卑是社会中长期存在的客观现象，不可避免的反映到语言和语言使用中来，由此形成语言性别歧视。本文着重分析了英语俚语中性别歧视现象和产生原因以及今后可能发展的趋势。首先介绍了何为英语俚语以及英语俚语的特征。然后从四个方面探讨了英语俚语中存在的性别歧视现象，即它主要体现在特殊俚语上、描述两性的相关俚语表达上、俚语词义的变

2、化过程以及社会公众对两性使用俚语的看法上。接着在前面几章的基础上分析了英语中性别歧视现象形成的根源。通过分析，发现英语俚语中的性别歧视归根结底还是由深刻的社会、历史和文化等方面的因素造成的。接着论述了俚语中的性别歧视在今后的发展趋势。最后是文章的结论部分，最根本的解决办法还是要彻底改变社会中长期对女性的歧视，进一步提高妇女的社会地位，只有这样，才能消除英语俚语中的性别歧视。关键词：英语俚语；性别歧视AbstractThe sexism mainly refers to the discrimination against women. Thousands of years, women are

3、 treated unfairly in the social, political, economic aspects. The view that men are superior to women is an eternal phenomenon in our society. It reflects in the language and language use inevitably. This paper devotes to the study of sexism in the English slang, its cause and the trend in the futur

4、e. To start with, the thesis introduces the definition and the features of English slang. Then focus on the analysis of sexism in English from four parts: in some special types of slang, in slang terms of each gender, in slang meaning changes and in social attitude toward the use of slang. Then, bas

5、ed on the previous chapters, analyzes the reasons of this phenomenon. Through the analysis, I found that, the sex sexism in English slang is mainly caused by social, historical and cultural factors. Then, expounds the developing trend in the future. Finally comes the conclusive part, the best way to

6、 get rid off sexism in English slang is to change the prejudice against women in society, improve womens status, only by this way can sexism in English slang be completely eliminated.Key words: English slang; sex sexism1IntroductionLanguage is a mirror of the society; it reflects the characteristics

7、 of a nation. Sex sexism is long-standing issue. This can be found in many cases, for example, Eastern and western women at the disadvantage position in society and women in their family with a subordinate position. At the beginning of the 20th century, linguists and sociologists became interested i

8、n the gender discrimination in language. With the development of sociolinguistics and the coming of womens rights movement, language and gender research has entered into a period of rapid development. From the development and changes of the language, people can conclude that sex sexism does not only

9、 exist in China, but in all the countries. Therefore, how does English slang reflect this sexism phenomenon? Since Robin Lakoffs research (1975), many scholars and experts at home and abroad have studied sex sexism in language with various research methods out of many purposes. For example, the outs

10、tanding scholars and experts, Yang Yonglin, Bai Jiehong, and so on, have done research about sexist element in the English language, they also have put forward some practical strategies to erase the sexism, but they just have done their research from the aspect of language strategy. Some other exper

11、ts, Qin Xiubai, Ren Jingsheng have mainly studied both sexes difference in the use of language and its cause out of social and cultural factors.English, as one of the most widespread languages, but there is massive discrimination in it. British writer Payne (1935) has pointed out: The wisdom of nati

12、ons lies in their proverbs. The proverbs from folk are wide spread, reflect the social culture, life, customs and thinking with the language features of concise and comprehensive, vivid, profound and implication. By far, they have done innumerable researches: macro or micro, great achievements have

13、been obtained. However, almost all the studies have chosen standard languages as their research materials. English slang is a very special variety of English. Its used limited in earlier days, but nowadays, we can see them in books, newspapers and magazines. It is a fact that slang can be used in ma

14、ny fields in our life. The vigor and color of slang enrich our daily speech. Therefore, the research on slang is very necessary. However, the articles on sex sexism in English slang are rare. Owing to above-mentioned reason, this research is to study sex sexism in English slang. The whole thesis is

15、divided into six chapters, the first chapter is introduction. Chapter two introduces the definition and the features of English slang. Chapter three focuses on the analysis of sexism in English from four parts: in some special types of slang, in slang terms of each gender, in slang meaning changes a

16、nd in social attitude toward the use of slang. Chapter four based on the previous chapters analyzes the reasons of this phenomenon. Through the analysis, I found that, the sex sexism in English slang is mainly caused by social, historical and cultural factors. Chapter five expounds the developing tr

17、end in the future. Finally comes the conclusive part.2. Definition and characters2.1 Definition of English slangAccording to Oxford Linguistic Dictionary (2000), “slang used especially of vocabulary specific for example, to a particular generation of younger speakers; also as in ordinary usage, spec

18、ific to group or a profession (e.g. army slang), to colloquial style, etc” to some certain slang, it is hard to tell the difference between slang and colloquial style. Here is one of the its definition, the body of words and expression frequently used by or intelligible to a rather large portion of

19、the general public, but not accepted as good; formal usage by the majority” (Flexner, 1975:3)Fewlinguistshave made efforts to clearly define what constitutes slang.Attempting to remedy this, Bethany K. Dumas and Jonathan Lighter argue that an expression should be considered true slang if it meets at

20、 least two of the following rules: It lowers, if temporarily, the dignity of formal or serious speech or writing; in other words, it is likely to be considered in those contexts a glaring misuse ofregister. Its use implies that the user is familiar with whatever is referred to, or with a group of pe

21、ople whoarefamiliar with it and use the term. Its a taboo term in ordinary discourse with people of a higher social status or greater responsibility. It replaces a well-known conventional synonym. This is done primarily to avoid discomfort caused by the conventional synonym or discomfort or annoyanc

22、e caused by having to elaborate further.2.2 Characters of English slang2.2.1 Highly colloquial Generally speaking, slang is a sort of vocabulary. It doesnt have its own grammar unlike standard language. Most slang is simply the substitution of more forceful, emotional or humorous forms for standard

23、words one same meaning may be expressed in various ways by the speaker, thats to say, a single slang has quite a few synonyms. On the whole, the life expectancy of slang is short, besides those can rise into standard language as time went by, most slang disappeared very quickly and soon forgotten by

24、 people.Slang words are used insocial situations, mainly in the oral communication between friends, acquaintances and people of the same social group and when chattingon-line. On some friendly occasions, if you talk in a very formal way, it will give others a feeling that you are talking with them i

25、n a requested tone. Such feeling will make you hard to make friends with them. If you add some necessary slang in you talking, you can have the talking atmosphere more easily. For example, if you want to get your friends agreement, the friend can understand your feeling, he may say the following sen

26、tences: “I will drink that sentence.” It means:” I definitely agree with you.” It is also undeniable that with the rise of naturalism, slang began to enter into English literature. More and more writers make good use of slang for vivid characterization. For example, J.D.Salingers work the catcher in

27、 the rye uses a large number of contemporary slang of teenagers. 2.2.2 Abundance of synonymsSlang is abundant of synonyms. By the phrase “abundant of synonyms”, we refer to two phenomena. First is that slang almost exists by the side with another more general term for the same thing. Taking “chick”

28、as an example, to some speakers, they use “chick” with the meaning “girl” or “young woman”. The difference between “girl” and “chick” can be according to the person who uses this word. Some say “this girl is my sister”, others “this chick is my sister”. “Girl” is the general term for “chick”. Second

29、 is that there is many slang words, which have the same meaning. This characteristic of slang greatly helps enrich vocabulary. According to research, there are over 300 words referring to the meaning “drunkenness”. Some of these slang words or phrases refer to the intoxication, some describe the hea

30、viness and stillness and others the lightness after drinking. These reveal vivid images of a drunkard from different aspects.2.2.3 Transience of slangs life Generally speaking, slang is transient. It spreads very quickly, also, it is unstable and temporary. Slang is the unstable element of English a

31、nd its life expectancy is generally short. Usually a popular slang of this year may no longer be heard next year or some slang once used by one generation may sound Greek to the next. The use of slang is closely related to the circumstances where it is used. If the circumstances change, the slang wi

32、ll disappear too. Without circumstances in which it is initiated, it cannot be well understood. Without specific circumstances, slang loses its sense correspondently or will become unintelligible. But not all the slang disappears soon after its birth. Some exist decade after decade, century after century, never becoming dying out soon. For example, the word “booze”, it formed as early as in the Middle Ages, now it is still ranked in some slang in some dictionaries. It is often said that a slang term sto