ICLSL 2017
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/18326
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Item Gendered Language: A Review of Available Literature.(The Third International Conference on Linguistics in Sri Lanka, ICLSL 2017. Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Pathirana, U. P. N. N.The most significant difference between human beings is the gender difference. Therefore, people of different genders will have their own gender characteristics, which leads to the gender differences in language. This study is an examination of influence of gender on language. The paper has been carried out as a literature review with the support of available literature, observations, informal conversations with laymen and opinions on scholars in the field of linguistics. The paper intends to investigate the gendered aspect of the language in relation to phonology, morphology and vocabulary, syntax and semantics and pragmatics. The study further seeks to discuss assumptions on nature of language that men and women use, supremacy in patterns of language use, and sexism exist within different languages. The latter part of the paper is dedicated to confer progressive language policies to address existing language issues at a point of time where huge socio-cultural and political changes is happening in outer world in relation to women‟s lives which is generally considered second or weaker sex. The study concludes proposing that language should be more people-oriented than relying on gender differences, minimizing discrimination of individuals‟ language rights.Item The Impact of Gender Differences on Class Attendance and Student Performance in Second Language Learning (A Case Study Based on First Year Undergraduates of the Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya).(The Third International Conference on Linguistics in Sri Lanka, ICLSL 2017. Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Kelanigama, D.A.This study intends to investigate the relationship between gender and second language learning, while paying special attention to the class attendance of the undergraduates. This was achieved through the analysis of their performance in language in relation to class attendance according to their gender. The sample of this study consisted of 46 (23 male and 23 female) first year students from the Faculty of Science, University of Peradeniya. The final grades based on the mid-term and end-term results on English tests and attendance recorded for both semesters of the students who completed the questionnaire based on the compelling reasons for absenteeism were obtained for analysis. The quantitative data collected were analysed using Statistical Package for Microsoft Excel Windows 2010. The study reveals that females are significantly successful than males in terms of overall test scores with the females scoring an average of almost fifteen points higher than male language learners. It is found that 92% of female students earning above-average grades have over 75% attendance while 83% of male students earning grades below class average have low attendance. Thus, class attendance seems to be particularly effective at reducing the number of failures while having stronger or weaker effect on the number of high grades received. When further analysing the possible underlying reasons for absenteeism, 43% of the males say that they use English hours to do the work of the other subjects they are doing while only 4% of females express the same. Moreover, 88% of the students who use English hours for extracurricular activities and students‟ union/ welfare activities are males. This is mostly due to the mind-set that they only have to focus on their own academic specification and utilize the English hours for such activities. Thus, it is found that there is a direct relationship between grades achieved for second language learning and the class attendance of the undergraduate corresponding to the specific gender.Item Impact of Gender and Identity on Learning English as a Second Language.(The Third International Conference on Linguistics in Sri Lanka, ICLSL 2017. Department of Linguistics, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Amarasooriya, D. N. P.Second language learning has become a socially valued vital learning process as it has the influencing potential to form, manipulate and change the social individual identities towards the positive recognition. In Sri Lankan social system while Sinhala and Tamil languages have been recognized as first languages of most people, English functions as the second or target language. Through a gradual social transformation English has become the most prestigious language in the society and the competence in English is required as the most obligatory qualification for a person to be recognized in the society. The research focuses on identifying and analysing how and to which extent the social factors such as gender differences, cultural diversities, disparities between the social classes and specifically the identities of the individuals influence on learning English as the second language. Within the data collection process both the primary and secondary data collection methods have been utilized and within the primary data collection method, a questionnaire has been designed and given to a sample group of 50 respondents from University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Through this analytical sociolinguistic research the relationship between identity and learning English as a second language, the impact that identity practices on person‟s capability and accessibility to the English language learning process have been taken into consideration. Accordingly it has been identified that English language competency level of urban respondents is higher than rural respondents and the rural identity of the individuals has an influential and discouraging impact on their English language learning process. Depending on the gender differences, the language performance, the language competency levels of the respondents tend to differ in relation to the four language skills and it has been brought forth that the competency level of the female respondents is higher than the male respondents. A higher percentage of individuals believe and accept the vitality of English in higher education and it has been recognized as a supportive channel which enhance Individuals‟ capabilities and identities in achieving their future goals despite the existing social discriminations.