Explanations of women's linguistic behaviour

Some linguists claim that women use more standard forms because they are more aware of social status.

An American study found that women who stayed at home preferred vernacular forms.

Women may use more standard forms because they associate the prestigious variety with linguistic capital that increases their marketability.

Women who work in factories prefer to use the more standard forms of language.

One explanation for women preferring standard forms of language is due to society's expectations of them. Society expects 'better' behaviour from them.

When mothers speak to children, they tend to use the standard forms of language.

It could be argued that women use the more standard forms of language to avoid offending others.

A group of Norwich men who were interviewed claimed that they prefer to use the more standard forms of language.

Holmes and Wilson (2017) suggested that standard forms carry connotations of toughness and masculinity.

Holmes and Wilson (2017) claim that only male speakers from the lower classes prefer to use the vernacular forms in less formal contexts.