Comparing Gendered Language in English and German. A Study of Pronouns and Job Titles on Linguee

Seminar paper from the year 2023 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Linguistics, grade: 2.7, University of Heidelberg, course: Psychology of Language, language: English, abstract: This study aims to compare gendered language in English and German, focusing on the use of pronouns and job titles, and to analyze the results using the corpus data from Linguee, a widely used online translation tool. By examining gendered language in two languages with different grammatical systems and cultural backgrounds, this study can provide insights into the
similarities and differences in gendered language use and its potential impact on gender equality.

Its findings may also have implications for language teaching and learning, particularly for language learners who are not familiar with gendered language and its implications. Finally, the study can contribute to a better understanding of the complex relationship between language and gender, a topic that has received increasing attention from scholars in various disciplines.

This study aims to answer the following research question: How does gendered language in pronouns and job titles compare between English and German, and what are the implications of these differences for promoting gender equality?

To answer this question, the study will analyze the use of pronouns and job titles in English and German using corpus data from Linguee. It will focus on identifying and comparing gendered language patterns in both languages and interpreting their potential implications for gender equality.