Introductory Lecture


Introduction


In this lecture, the design is for us to be fairly aware of where we are going. We need to know what the course is all about, what is required of us, the concepts and issues that we will likely encounter, some trajectories of its research, etc. In other words, it involves unrolling the map of the course. It is important to study this map and to get ready.

So, what is the course description

Course Description :

The course is described as follows:

This course will emphasise the relationship between language and gender; linguistic markers of gender discourse ; gender sensitive expressions; sexist language ; feminine linguistics; overt linguistic and visual representation of women in discourse  and  culture.

In other words, we are expected to

  - be familiar with the key issues in the concepts of language, literature, and gender. 

  - examine the relationship between language, literature, and gender. Our main course emphasizes language and literature. We need to see how gender comes into play here.

  - know the ways that being sensitive to gender can change our world, for instance, our language.

  - know how cultures have narrated and treated gender over time.

  - discuss the views of some scholars on the relationship of language, literature, and gender.

There are, of course, many other issues worth discussing in this course about the relationship. But we believe that you would be sufficiently inspired to want to read them up on your own. For now, let us begin by clarifying the key concepts. 

Language :

One of the concepts is language. "Language" refers to human vocal system of communication in which symbols are assigned meanings and a sense is made of an utterance. This essentially makes the spoken form of language primary. But language is also written, that is, meanings made can be represented by written visual symbols in some ways. So, spoken and written forms of language. 

Language is also believed to be specific to humans. Human beings are said to be speech-using or homo loquens. 

Language can do some things for human beings. In other words, they have functions. These include :

 1.  Passing information across. This is seen as a major function of language. Humans have to pass to, as well as get information from, other humans. Radio, television, newspapers, social media, etc are just some arenas for this passing or sharing of information. Outside our galaxy, there may be other systems of passing information. 

Some fields of life can modify language or have other languages derived from a language for their communication. 

Also, language can be used figuratively employing forms or icons to which meanings are attached. These are called languages also, though they appear artificial. 

 2. Lubricating relationships. Language can be used as a tool for servicing or welding relationship. In greetings, called "phatic communion," we interact with others and service relationship. 

 3.  Making others change their thinking and see things from our own perspective. In this case, language can greatly affect our lives. Language is, therefore, not a neutral thing but can be used to do something for us and against us. This means that language can be used to persuade and dissuade. In that case, it is a powerful weapon, not just a tool! 

 4. Creative use of forms and entertainment. This is surprising. But it means that language is also for giving humans pleasure. Language forms can be deployed in some interesting ways and used in making us feel good. In that case, language is one resource or property we can learn to exploit as inhabitants of this world. 

 There are other interesting functions but these are enough for our purpose for now. 

Literature :

Literature is a bit more difficult to explain but we regard it here as a creative work of imagination that could use any medium for expression. In that case,E it does not have to be written and does not have to be from language as we know it, although it ised linked to it. Literature can serve the following purposes :

 1.  Information 

 2. Education 

 3. Pleasure or entertainment 

 4. Cultural Performance

More functions can be found or added. The ancients in Latin summarized the functions as " dulce et utile" (entertainment and use). The main point is that literature helps our humanity greatly and could violate norms (something that causes it to be misunderstood). 

Gender:

Just like  and literature, gender has a lot to do with culture. In this case, we are not talking of grammatical gender. We are rather referring to social understanding of roles assigned to men and women in the culture. In other words, biological differences of maleness and femaleness are just the beginning of the philosophy. Biological differences are used to justify the social placement called gender. 

We have indicated that this is essentially attitudinal and has a lot to do with culture. So, in the course, we have to see how this attitude changes in relation to language. How is gender encoded in English? How has  contemporary English adjusted to gender demands? 

Further reading:

https://open.lib.umn.edu/communication/chapter/3-2-functions-of-language

https://www.psychologydiscussion.net/social-psychology-2/language/7-main-functions-of-language-forms-human-behaviour-psychology/314

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/english-language/five-functions-of-language-english-language-essay.ph

https://www.legit.ng/1218547-10-functions-literature-about.html

https://neoenglish.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/the-functions-of-literature/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/232363

http://www.fao.org/3/y5608e/y5608e01.htm

https://genderspectrum.org/articles/understanding-gender

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