Abstract：The study of the relationship between language and gender is an important subject in sociolinguistics. According to researches, there are many differences between men’s languages and women’s languages. In fact, biological, psychological and social factors are all contribute to these differences. Since1960s, the development of feminist movement arouses sociolinguists’ interest in the women’s language. The masterpiece of Robin Lakoff, Language and Woman’s Place, summarizes ten characteristics of the language women used. 

Desperate Housewives is an American TV plays which has eight seasons in total. It tells the stories about four housewives who live in the same street named Wisteria Lane. In the teleplay, the four leading roles have different characteristics of personality. Under the cover of happiness, they all hide some secrets about themselves or their families. Unavoidably, they pay the price for their secrets. 

With the guidance of Lakoff’s theory about features of women’s languages, the thesis discuss the functions of the four leading ladies’ languages in Desperate Housewives. The research on the characteristics and functions of woman’s language is an effective approach to help people understand woman’s mental activities and the aims they want to achieve by means of using their special language.

Key Words: female language characteristics  female language functions   

Desperate Housewives

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

1.1 Background of the study-1

1.2 Content of the study.-1

1.3 Research approaches of the study-1

1.4 Expected results of the study.-1

2. A Brief Introduction to the TV play of Desperate Housewives.-1

2.1 An introduction of Desperate Housewives-2

2.2 Languages in Desperate Housewives-2

3. Language and Gender：The Characteristics of Woman’s Language.2 

3.1 Hedges-2

3.2 Empty adjectives-2

3.3 Super-polite forms.-2

3.4 Apologizing more.-3

3.5 Speaking less frequently.-3

3.6 Avoiding coarse language and expletives-.3

3.7 Tag questions-3

3.8 Hyper-correct grammar and pronunciation-3

3. 9 Indirect requests.3

3.10 Speaking in italics-3

4. The Sociolinguistic functions of the women’s language in Desperate Housewives4

4.1 Emotive4

4.1.1Hedges: Show the speaker’s uncertainty and avoid express true feelings directly4

4.1.2 Empty adjectives: Add friendly elements to the audience4

4.1.3 Super-polite forms: Make speech polite and elegant and show respect to the audience.-5

4.1.4 Apologize more: Make women polite and protect women themselves6

4.1.5 Speaking less frequently: Give women time to decide what they should say next and melt the embarrassment.6

4.1.6 Avoiding coarse language or expletives: avoid showing negative emotion directly and hurting others.6

4.1.7 Hyper-correct grammar and pronunciation: Make women decent and well-educated.-6

4.1.8 Speak in italics: Emphasis the speaker’s emotional content and catch others’ attention.-7

4.2 Conative7

4.2.1Tag questions: seek for agreement, lessen the intensity8

4.3 Referential.8

4.3.1 Indirect requests: Show the speaker’s respect to audience and give him or her the right to say no9 5.Conclusion10

Appendix