Issue

Vol. 13 No. 2 (2024)

A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Representation of Gender Images in Wedding Speeches in Tanzania

https://doi.org/10.56279/13/2/2
Reuben Ndimbo
a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:45:"Dar es Salaam University College of Education";}

Corresponding Author(s) : Reuben Ndimbo

ndimbomc@gmail.com

Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), Vol. 13 No. 2 (2024)

Abstract

This study explored the role of language discourse in expressing gender images in parents' advice to newlywed couples in Tanzania. The analysis focused on the language used in speeches by parents during wedding ceremonies. It examined how cultural beliefs, attitudes, and practices are reflected in the language and contribute to either perpetuating equal or unequal gender representation. The study adopted a qualitative approach and employed various qualitative methods for data collection. Seven speeches were audio-visual recorded, sampled, transcribed, and translated. Additionally, Focus Group Discussions were conducted with both men and women to gather their perceptions on gender representation. The data collected from these sources were analysed using a modified version of Fairclough's Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Feminist Approach. The findings suggest that some parents' language use reinforces stereotypical gender roles according to the dominant male ideology, portraying men as the supreme heads of households, responsible for making important decisions, including financial and political matters. On the other hand, women are projected to be obedient and show humility, perpetuating the image of dependent and submissive individuals. These findings support the notion that unequal gender representation is perpetuated through language. It is recommended that parents should use gender-sensitive language in their speeches during wedding ceremonies. Further research can be conducted to analyze linguistic and non-linguistic aspects of speeches made by influential individuals to ascertain if similar results are observed.


 

Keywords

wedding speeches CDA ideologies gender images identity
A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Representation of Gender Images in Wedding Speeches in Tanzania. (2024). Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), 13(2). https://doi.org/10.56279/13/2/2
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)
BibTeX
References
  1. Farsy, M. S. (1967). Ada za Harusi katika Unguja. Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Kampala:
  2. East African Literature.
  3. Adowa, L. (2001). History of Feminism in Kenya. Nairobi, Kenya.
  4. Baker, P. & Ellege, S. (2011). Key Terms in Discourse Analysis. London: Continuum
  5. International Publishing Group.
  6. Barton, A., & Sakwa, L.M. (2012). The Representation of Gender in English Textbooks in
  7. Uganda. Pedagogy, Culture and Society, 20(2), 173- 190.
  8. Cameron, D. (2008). The Myth of Mars and Venus: Do Men and Women Really Speak Different
  9. Languages? Oxford University Press.
  10. Connell, R. W. (2005). Masculinities (2nd ed.). City? University of California Press.
  11. Curtin, P. 1984. “Weddings in Lamu, Kenya: An Example of Social and Economic Change.”
  12. Cahiers d’Etudes Africaines 94: 131–156.
  13. Fairclough, N. (1989), Language and Power, UK: Longman Group Limited.
  14. Faiclough, N. (1995) Critical Discourse Analysis: the Critical Study of Language. London and
  15. New York: Longman.
  16. Fairclough, N (2001), Language and Power – Second Edition, London: Longman.
  17. Fairclough, N (2005a), “Critical Discourse Analysis”, in Marges Linguistiques Journal, Vol. 9,pp
  18. - 94.
  19. Fairclough, N (2005b), “Critical Discourse Analysis in Transdisciplinary Research” in A New
  20. Agenda in Critical Discourse Analysis,R. Wodak & P. Chilton (eds.) Amsterdam:John Benjamins, pp 66-83.
  21. Korosso, W.B. (1994). Custom and Discrimination: A Gender Based Examination of the
  22. Customary Rules of Inheritance of the Nyakyusa. M.A. Dissertation. University of Dar es Salaam.(Unpublished).
  23. Lakoff, R. (1975). Language and Woman's Place. Harper & Row.
  24. Lazar, M. (ed.) (2007). Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis: Gender, Power and Ideology in
  25. Discourse. PALGRAVE Macmillan: New York
  26. McWilliams, A. (1988). Is there Sexism in Kiswahili? Women’s Research and Documentation
  27. Project, Occasional Paper Series No. 3
  28. Mkuchu, S.G.V. (2004). Gender Roles in Textbooks as a Functon of a Hidden Curriculum in
  29. Tanzania Primary Schools. PHD Thesis: University of South Africa. (Unpublished).
  30. Ndimbo, R. (2012). Gender and Language Stereotyping: A Case of Bongo Flava Music. M.A.
  31. Dissertation: University of Dar es Salaam. (Unpublished).
  32. Ng’imba, H. S. (2022). Women’s View of Womanhood in Kitchen Party Talks in Dar es Salaam: A
  33. Critical Discourse Analysis. PHD Thesis. University of Dar es Salaam.(Unpublished).
  34. Pangani, F.S.C. (2023). A Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis of Sexism in Tanzania
  35. Secondary School English Language Textbooks. PhD Thesis: University of Dar es Salaam
  36. Porreca, K. L. (1984). ‘Sexism in Current ESL Textbooks’. TESOL Quarterly, Vo18,
  37. No. 4 (December), retrieved on 03/04/2024 from http://jstor.org/stable/3586584.
  38. Sadiqi, F. (2003). Women, Language and Gender in Morocco.
  39. Boston: Brill.
  40. Schipper M (2003) Never Marry a Woman with Big Feet: Women in Proverbs from
  41. around the World, New Ha- ven and London: Yale University Press.?
  42. Shartiely, N. (2003). Language and Gender Imbalance: A Case of Language of
  43. Advertisements. Dar es Salaam: University of Dar es Salaam.
  44. Strobel, M. 1975. “Women’s Wedding Celebrations in Mombasa, Kenya.” African
  45. Studies Review (Women in Africa) 18 (3): 35–45 Special Issue.
  46. Swilla, I. N. (2000). Volupsuous Vacuous Vamps: Stereotyped Representations of
  47. Women in Kiswahili Press. Africa Study Monographs, 21(4), 159–171.
  48. Talbot, M. (2003). Gender Stereotype: Reproduction and Challenges. In J. Holmes, and
  49. M. Mayerhoff (Eds), The Handbook of Language and Gender. Oxford: Blakwell, 468-486.
  50. The Revised Family Code. (2000). Federal Negarit Gazette of the Federal Democratic
  51. Republic of Ethiopia. Issue No. 1/2000.
  52. United Nations (2015) The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023 retrieved on
  53. th May 2024 from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality/
  54. UN Women (2022) Women Political Participation retrieved on 15th March 2022 from
  55. https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/leadership-and-political participation/facts-and-figure
Read More
Author biographies is not available.

How to Cite

A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Representation of Gender Images in Wedding Speeches in Tanzania. (2024). Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), 13(2). https://doi.org/10.56279/13/2/2
Download