After reading and briefly discussing "The Language of Men" by Norman Mailer, I began to reflect on this tacit language that is apparent between those of the same gender yet somehow is impermeable for the opposite gender. Does such a language truly exist? Do men have an understanding that exists within the nod of a head and the shaking of hands? Similarly, are women able to make judgements based on the slightest of notions? If such symbols and gestures exist, why can they not transfer over to the opposite gender?
I think it would be unrealistic to argue that such a tacit language does not exist. Perhaps this "language" is an unnatural, manmade concept, nonetheless it does exist. Pop culture popularizes television shows such as Girl Code (and it's "brother", Guy Code) because it displays relatable scenarios that provide a standard that each gender should follow. Essentially, shows like Girl Code/Guy Code prove that gender-specific tacit codes not only exist but should be universally followed by all who categorize themselves as that specific gender.
Based on my own experience, I would conclude that gender-specific implications derived from tacit codes do exist, however I am confused on why a man seemingly cannot comprehend the mind of a woman and vice versa. If we (men) can understand one another without laying down a concrete language, how can we not understand the language of women?
I think that the idea that men exist in a completely different sphere from women and interact with men in a completely different way than they do with women is less prevalent now because it is less true. It used to be the case that men were friends only with other men, so it is not surprising that they could interact through tacit codes that women would not understand. Now, however, it is much more common to have friends of both genders so there is a smaller difference in the interactions between people of the same sex and of the different sex.
ReplyDeleteIt does seen weird to say there is no language at all, but I'm not sure there's an explicit one defined any more specially for a given sex. There's a language that humans share overall based on common traits we all possess, for example, that a smile implies happiness or understanding. Males and females have different things they understand sometimes, usually due to anatomical differences or fundamental qualities that aren't pertinent to overall human nature, but in general I think there's a language of humans that's unspoken with slight variations based on sex.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Yohana, that it seems we have been conditioned to understand "the language" of our gender as a means of becoming a part of society. Like Rachel, I would argue that it seems incorrect to say that no language within a particular gender exists, but I would argue any individual can learn that language. These "languages" are not exclusive, however, one might need to sacrifice their own natural inclinations in order to conform and be accepted in this new society with a new "language". What I'm trying to convey is that although, for example, the average woman may not have the same competitive spirit as the average man, she might still understand his motives.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sammy. The languages of each gender seem very prominent in literature and popular culture but in reality, I think most people embody a mix of the two languages.
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