EVOLVING GENDERED LANGUAGE: A DIACHRONIC STUDY USING “ALL IN THE FAMILY AND BROOKLYN 99”

Abstract

This current research article aims to investigate the evolution of language use by gender over time and examines the impact of gender on communication. With societal advancements promoting gender equality in education, employment, and personal spheres, these changes have significantly influenced linguistic patterns. By analyzing the dialogue from two television series, All in the Family (1971) and Brooklyn 99 (2017), the research compares the language used across two distinct eras. The study critically evaluates Robin Lakoff’s Deficit Theory, which posits that women's language is inherently weaker than men's, and aims to challenge its validity. Through a comparative analysis of the language used by male and female characters in both series, the findings highlight how shifting gender roles and cultural norms have influenced communication styles. This research underscores that language is not inherently tied to gender but is a dynamic construct shaped by context, audience, and societal progress