Abstract
Gender socialization tied to language is something in
which researchers have been interested in recent years. Language and gender are
now viewed not just something we have but something we do. Language attitudes,
of course, factor into the concept of language and gender. Differences between
male and female voices are attached to masculinity and femininity, and power
seems to be attached to the male voice. Somehow, homosexual speech and dialect
seem to be considered other than masculine. But much of gay speech stems from
being socialized to use gendered speech. Connected to gay speech is camp
language, which is related to exaggerated queer behavior. Presentation in terms
of dress and behavior of lesbians and gays are also viewed as identity markers.
Additionally, the existence of non-heterosexual speech as marked forms is
internationally pervasive.
