Language and power in disagreements: Analyzing the discourse of male, female, and male/female couples

Until recently, research on men, women, language, and power has centered around whether differences in speech come from different (i.e., male vs. female ) cultures or arise because one gender is more dominant and powerful in a given society. Moreover, most of the research on language and power has been done from a heterosexual perspective and assumed gender to be static; i.e., men were viewed as having a single masculine identity, and women were viewed as having a single feminine identity. This resulted in researchers placing more importance on the sex of the participants and not enough on their other traits or the contexts in which language occurred. In an effort to gain further insights into the interrelatedness of language and power, and how both may or may not relate to gender, this study examines language in context, focusing on the disagreements of three male, three female, and three male/female couples. I observed couples for one year and collected data using qualitative methods, including audio recordings and observations of in-home conversations, observations of the couples in public settings, and interviews. Using a framework adapted from Hymes (1972, 1974) and from researchers of verbal conflict (Brenneis & Lein, 1977; Lein & Brenneis, 1978; Eisenberg & Garvey, 1981; Maynard, 1985), I analyzed the discourse of the couples to understand and document how they verbally negotiate and express power through disagreements. Taken into account are the participants\u27 views concerning the data and findings and how situational factors affect the expression and interpretation of power in language. This study highlights the importance of simultaneous multiple interpretations of power and provides insight into how verbal strategies are used by male couples, female couples, and male/female couples to express power during disagreements. In addition, unlike previous research, this study discusses differences and similarities of male, female, and male/female couples. Finally, areas for further research are suggested