Language Features of Transgenders as Their Gender Representation in Digital Culture

Abstract

Huge number of researches suggest many differentiations between men and women language features. Most studies proclaim men to be more aggressive, verbal, and have higher self-esteem while women tend to be milder and soft-spoken. However, how about the transgenders? This study aims to see what language features used by the transgenders and how the transgenders represented in the digital media which in this case, YouTube. The study will be conducted using the qualitative data analysis. Starting with collecting the data from four videos taken from Jimmy Kimmel, Allure, About Ethan, and Netflix's YouTube channels. These data then analyzed using the theory of women's language features by Robin Lakoff, men's language features by Jennifer Coates, and the theory of gender presentation in digital media by LaFrance and Vial. The result of this study shows that transgender women use six out of ten female language features, while maintaining two of men language features. Meanwhile, transmen maintain three women's language features, while using four men language features. The study's results implies that gender need to be considered as a multidimensional construct and more studies about language and gender must be expanded for multidimensional identity to be recognized in this vast digital world.