Quote:

there have been studies about womans (vs men's speach) habits, and somem woman tend to phrase every statement (even ones they are sure of, like "my name is X" with rising tone --which is generally used in spoken english (Not generally a tonal language) to indicate a question.

Its more common in certain economic groups, but its not totally an economic pattern--it can be found at all social and economic levels.

when made aware of it, most of the woman were able to change their speech pattern.. at least for the sort term, while being studied.. but many woman relapsed back into the same pattern (when there was a follow up interview some months later)

I am going to the store now, is a statement.

but make the statement with a rising tone, and it sounds like a question..and as a question, its less assertive, (less threating to the what they beleive to be the established powers that they must obey?--its becomes a way of looking for approval.) it reflects insecurity on the part of the speaker.

we have come a long way baby, but there are still pockets of society that want to keep woman down on farm, barefoot and pregnant.. and girls raised in that sort of cultural norm tend to use the questioning habit of speaking. they feel uncomfortable making any statement. so everything they say becomes a question. It frustrating to deal with. and can become an entrenched habit.



Thanks for the laugh - a rising intonation as an indication of female submission?!! Hilarious stuff, especially since there are several English-speaking countries in which the rising intonation is considered characteristic of ALL speakers, regardless of gender. Keep looking out for those black helicopters, won't you?

noho ora mai
http://maxqnzs.com/References.html