A LINGUISTIC STYLISTIC ANALYSIS OF GENDER VARIATIONS IN SELECTED TELEVISION NEWS REPORTAGE

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Department of Arts

ABSTRACT
This study identifies and assesses the linguistic differences that contribute to gender language variations in news reportage. It examines ninety six (96) news reports (48 Males, 48 Females) from the three selected television stations of BBC, NTA and Channels TV. All the reports were recorded between March, 2015 and January, 2016. Content analysis was used in examining the linguistic gender differences in the Themes and Rhemes of the reporters and in the type of stories they reported. A survey in the form of personal interview was also conducted to find out the implications of the variations on the target audience. Using Halliday (2004) textual analysis of themes and Rhemes as a model, the study reveals that male and female reporters adopt distinct mode of Themes and Rhemes in passing across their reports. The male reporters predominantly employ active voices which are realized through unmarked topical themes. The female reporters prefer passive voices thus, use marked themes which were given additional force by their fronting. In addition, the mapping of the thematic system on the informational system of the reporters helps to project their viewpoints and attitudes towards events in the reports. Furthermore, analysis of news reportages reveals that female reporters are more likely to present reports on human interest and health related stories, home, education, world affairs, and to some extent politics and conflicts. The males it is assumed, present reports on conflicts, world affairs, politics and sports that is considered intense dynamic and active reports. These findings support researches such as Boyle and Macleod (2012) and Wen McCarthy and Strain (2013) but challenge some of their positions with regard to the topic selections and beats covered by the female reporters. According to them the female reporters do not cover conflict topics like War, Politics and International Affairs. However, the result of this study establishes the fact that female reporters cover International Affairs, Politics and to some extent Conflicts. The study reveals that 58% of the respondents prefer female reports. Some of the reasons given by this cadre to justify their choices include �”simplicity‘, �”more detailed‘, �”more comprehensive,‘ etc. while 42% of the interviewee prefer male reports on the bases of �”specificity‘, �”forcefulness‘, �”less time consuming‘, �”technicality‘ and �”persuasiveness‘. Results suggest that the current news reportage largely conforms to an established gender divide that, the language use amongst males and females can actually be distinguished in terms of vocabulary, expressions and subject matter even in the field of the media (television).