Grammatical Gender and Discrimination
Abstract
How does speaking a highly gendered language affect an individual’s likelihood of discriminating on the basis of gender in a hiring scenario? Discrimination is often implicit, so few policies effectively combat it. The... [ view full abstract ]
How does speaking a highly gendered language affect an individual’s likelihood of discriminating on the basis of gender in a hiring scenario?
Discrimination is often implicit, so few policies effectively combat it. The perception of language as unaffected by policy has deterred studies of its influence on discrimination. Gender-fair language (GFL) policies are more common now than ever, but despite their surge in popularity, their value remains ambiguous because most studies of language’s effect on socioeconomic outcomes use language as a placeholder for culture and focus on native speakers. My question, however, is whether speaking a language affects how an employer discriminates between candidates.
Through an experimental design, I effectively separate language from culture and offer real linguistic policy implications. Using over 100 bi- and multilingual Middlebury students, I study both the way in which as well as the extent to which the language participants speak influences the economic decisions they make.
Authors
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Daniel Buchman '18.5
Topic Area
Language & Linguistics
Session
S1-104 » Crafting Gender, Crafting Identities (9:15am - Friday, 20th April, MBH 104)