A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

Who proposed that language is patriarchal and controlled by men, especially in written online communication?

1. Haraway

2. Kramarae

3. Boellstorff

4. Cochrane

The correct answer is: Kramarae

The assertion that language is patriarchal and predominantly controlled by men, particularly in the context of written online communication, is attributed to the work of Kramarae. She emphasized how language reflects and reinforces societal power structures, particularly gender inequalities. Kramarae's analysis often focuses on how language can perpetuate male dominance in both verbal and written forms of communication, demonstrating how this gendered control affects the representation and participation of women in public discourse, including online environments. In her renowned work, "A Feminist Dictionary," Kramarae delves into the concept of "male-centered language," which highlights the limitations and biases embedded within language that favor masculine perspectives. This perspective plays a crucial role in understanding how communication shapes social realities and power dynamics, particularly in digital contexts where language can determine the visibility and empowerment of different genders.