Characteristics of Women’s Language in “Kim Jiyoung: Born 1982” by Cho Namjoo

Abstract

Sociolinguistics differentiates gender from sex which is a perception of how one's femininity or masculinity is perceived by social construct. This not only affects the mindset that one action is exclusively for one gender but linguistics has also shown that women's language is different from men's language. This research is conducted to acknowledge the women's language in Cho Namjoo's Kim Jiyoung: Born 1982 (82 년생 김지영) [Pal-sip-i nyeon-saeng Kim Ji-yeong]. This research applied a descriptive qualitative method to analyze the data. Women's language in the novel is analyzed with the theory coined by Lakoff (1973). The results revealed that intensifier is the most commonly used feature to emphasize a point not to be underestimated. However, hypercorrect grammar is absent in the novel since the female characters are mostly engaged in informal situations and the author uses correct grammar in general. In addition, the usage of some figures of speech, stated as a unique characteristic of women's language in literature, is found in the novel. Based on the results, women's language is used to express their opinions and existence to climb the social ladder and seek equal opportunities for men and women. This research is done with the ambition to spread awareness about women's language. It is not a negative trait only because it has feminine qualities but is also determined.