Gender and Power in Role Language

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the structure of the “connection between gender, dignity and grace” presented in Sadanobu (2011) and the “neutralization of gender differences by power” observed in Jin (2016). Using politeness theory as the main theoretical framework, the neutralization of gender difference by power is explained from the “principle of face risk consideration.” We also set out the “principle of grace preservation in female speech,” and argue that this has the effect of undermining the power of female speech.