ABSTRACT
This
study identifies and assesses the linguistic differences that
contribute to gender language variations in news reportage. It examines
ninety six (96) news reports (48 Males, 48 Females) from the three
selected television stations of BBC, NTA and Channels TV. All the
reports were recorded between March, 2015 and January, 2016. Content
analysis was used in examining the linguistic gender differences in the
Themes and Rhemes of the reporters and in the type of stories they
reported. A survey in the form of personal interview was also conducted
to find out the implications of the variations on the target audience.
Using Halliday (2004) textual analysis of themes and Rhemes as a model,
the study reveals that male and female reporters adopt distinct mode of
Themes and Rhemes in passing across their reports. The male reporters
predominantly employ active voices which are realized through unmarked
topical themes. The female reporters prefer passive voices thus, use
marked themes which were given additional force by their fronting. In
addition, the mapping of the thematic system on the informational system
of the reporters helps to project their viewpoints and attitudes
towards events in the reports. Furthermore, analysis of news reportages
reveals that female reporters are more likely to present reports on
human interest and health related stories, home, education, world
affairs, and to some extent politics and conflicts. The males it is
assumed, present reports on conflicts, world affairs, politics and
sports that is considered intense dynamic and active reports. These
findings support researches such as Boyle and Macleod (2012) and Wen
McCarthy and Strain (2013) but challenge some of their positions with
regard to the topic selections and beats covered by the female
reporters. According to them the female reporters do not cover conflict
topics like War, Politics and International Affairs. However, the result
of this study establishes the fact that female reporters cover
International Affairs, Politics and to some extent Conflicts. The study
reveals that 58% of the respondents prefer female reports. Some of the
reasons given by this cadre to justify their choices include
â€-simplicity', â€-more detailed', â€-more comprehensive,' etc. while 42% of
the interviewee prefer male reports on the bases of â€-specificity',
â€-forcefulness', â€-less time consuming', â€-technicality' and
â€-persuasiveness'. Results suggest that the current news reportage
largely conforms to an established gender divide that, the language use
amongst males and females can actually be distinguished in terms of
vocabulary, expressions and subject matter even in the field of the
media (television).
