Females’ and Males’ Identity as revealed in Phonology and Grammar: a case study of Mostaganem Spoken Arabic

Abstract

This paper deals with an interesting aspect of identity, namely that of males’ and males’ identity through phonology and grammar. It is stated that the use of a sex-specific style reflects one’s social image. This means that Gender specific style is bound by social norms. It can be used as a strategy to fulfill certain objectives. In another way, one can say that gender-specific style signals a social identity. To signal their social identity, men and woman are likely to refer to specific style formulae in order to make their speech acts explicit. It is undeniably true that females’ speech denotes inferiority, less confidence, and insecurity. Women are prone to the use of all that is in both verbal and non-verbal communication. Females are quite “choosy” about their language style since they tend to be prestigious. Their speech patterns apparently very careful compared to males’ patterns. This leads to say that the sex of the speaker confines him/her to use a sex-defining style. Accordingly, the choice of a specific style is progressively restricted by a number of constraints that govern both males' and females' behavior.