GENDER DIFFERENCES IN LANGUAGE USE: AN ANALYSIS OF EDO LANGUAGE. A CASE STUDY OF OVIA NORTH EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study examines gender differences in language use in Edo language. The study argues that the way men and women speak in Edo language is an indication that gender inequality still operates in Edo community. The researcher adopts participant-observation technique. The methods of data collection used include oral interview and personal observation. The result of the study proves that sex is a strong linguistic variable that affects speech in Edo community and that women in Edo land are constrained from using certain words or expressions, especially in social gatherings, comprising men and women. The study further reveals that the speech of men and women differ in Edo land in the sense that there are many expressions that are peculiar to men which women are not expected to utter. The study concludes that the differences observed in the speech of men and women in Edo land serve as evidence of inequality between men and women in Edo society as in most other societies despite the declarations, agreements, conventions and the commitments of the various governments aimed at putting an end to all sorts of discrimination.