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Posted by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen Mar 15, 2007 |
Have you noticed a difference in male versus female communication amounts? Specifically, the number of words per day?
I definitely talk more than my darling hubby, and I used to think it was because women use about 3 times as many words as men do. But, it turns out that data is a "complete fabrication" according to University of Pennsylvania linguist Mark Liberman (in the March 2007 issue of Psychology Today). He states that there hasn't been a reputable study that shows women talking that much more than men. Not only is there no significant gender difference, men actually say a few more words per day than women.
Hmm.
What's behind these complete fabrications that women are motor mouths? Sexism, says Deborah Cameron, an Oxford University professor. She cites the belief that women should be silent, as "recommended by ancient authorities ranging from Sophocles ot St. Paul." She also blames "popular psychology, which panders to stereotypes to sell books." Ouch. Not that I've sold any books (but I hope to!).
So, my husband's not getting off so lightly in the conversational game from now on! I'll suggest he reread Make Small Talk until making conversation becomes second nature.......