With the title of last Friday's talk 'Yes dear!' the use of language according to gender, members were not quite sure what kind of talk they were to hear. Perhaps it would be a lesson in grammar? They were soon to find out. Pearl McCabe has made a study of socio-linguistics, particularly as applied to the language of ordinary people in their daily lives. The speaker reminded everyone that language has evolved over many centuries. Words used some years ago are no longer in common speech, but others have taken their place. Dialects play a big part in speech and the speaker gave examples from the Gwaun Valley and from the valleys of Glamorgan, as well as some from the Scottish lowlands. Some 50 years ago when many women went out to work for the first time, patterns of speech gradually changed. Pearl McCabe chose interviews to illustrate her point. These had been run on male lines; questions and answers were usually short and very much to the point. Women at interviews, on the other hand, tended to be much more detailed and lengthy in their replies. Their body language was also more pronounced. In formal speeches and public speaking, men were usually precise, whereas women frequently laboured a point and over- elaborated their subject. On the other hand, in an informal situation, a woman's flexible approach was more sympathetic than a man's. Men's speech patterns were linear in style, whereas women's were lengthy and verbose. Here the speaker related several very amusing anecdotes to illustrate her meaning. This difference between men and women was particularly marked in small talk, either face to face or on the telephone. Here Pearl McCabe quoted hilarious examples of conversations heard every day of our lives, either at home, in shops and offices, on the bus, in fact anywhere. In these exchanges men were succinct and sometimes even terse when speaking to each other, whereas women were wordy and dramatic in their communication with others. Pearl McCabe's observations were completely fascinating and her examples of gender differences in speech were most amusing. Members of the audience were easily able to identify with descriptions of quite ordinary conversations between husband and wife, between two friends or even with tradesmen. It was with reluctance that they came to the end of a most interesting and amusing evening. This (Friday) evening, Neil Croucher will introduced the club to stained glass. The talk begins at 8 pm in Church House, Upper Frog Street. Admission £1 members, £2 for non-members.
