The Interlocking Relations Between Education, Language and Gender

Abstract

Language and naming are sources of power. This is because aspects of reality that are named become ‘real’; they can be talked about and easily outlined. Language as a form of communication also enables us to share our tho ughts, feelings and experi ences, especi ally with each other. Language therefore shapes ideas a nd the thought processes. In education and in schools, language is bound to infl uence the way pupils and students learn. This is because they are taught several la nguages in school. In addi tion, they learn whatever else through a language. This draws attention to the way language creates the reality of th e world for the child especially in the school. This paper exam ines the interlocking relations between educ ation, language and gender with a view to: determine in what ways language perpetuates sex a nd gender stereotypes. The paper argues that the way language devalues gi rls and women through sexism in language can be redeemed, that is engendering th e language.