Gender and Hedging Behavior: An Analysis of Functions of Hedges Employed by Women in Chinese Conversations

Abstract

Hedges have been regarded as signals only for tentativeness in expressions and stereotypically seen as a feature of women's speech since Lakoff publicized her work on features of women's language. This argument has been debated by Jennifer Coates by exploring the multi-functions of hedges in the usage of female speakers and elucidating the reasons why women tend to use them. There are four functions of hedges proposed by Coates: the expression of doubt and confidence, sensitivity to others' feelings, researching for the right word and avoidance of expert status. This research is carried based upon the categorization of Coates. In this study, the author investigated, in the context of Chinese podcast shows, the differences of function-related features of hedges in women's talk between mixed-sex conversations and same-sex conversations. The results showed that (1) overall, the subject showed more hedging behaviors when men were present; (2) all the four functions proposed by Coates displayed in the database; (3) the subject used more hedges in mixed-sex conversations than in same-sex conversations for expressing doubt and confidence, showing sensitivity to others' feelings and searching for the right word, but more hedges in same-sex conversations than in mixed-sex ones for showing the avoidance of playing the expert. In addition to this, an elaborative analysis of speech examples was given to show how hedges function as a facilitative role in women's interactions with different sexes in Chinese. The analysis showed that women were able to achieve interpersonal closeness and create a collaborative floor for everyone to participate in conversations.