Gender-based Intonation Politeness Strategies: An Analysis of Spontaneous Speech in University Student

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the gender-based variability of politeness strategies in intonation. in order to examine these strategies, the spontaneous speech of university student born in Seoul was analyzed. The results of my analysis are as follow. First, The intonation used in the polite expressions reveals a significant correlation by gender. The nonassertive ‘M:’ was used more frequently by female speakers while the assertive ‘HL’ and ‘LHL’ were used more frequently by male speakers. Second, connective endings used in polite expression also differ by gender. Female speakers use a higher percentage and variety of polite expression connective endings than male speakers. Third, The meaning of polite expression is more diverse in female speakers while male speakers mainly used in the sense of ‘blame.’ Male speakers are relatively insensitive to perceptions of politeness and utilize socially high hierarchical politeness strategies.