1. A number of differences in language choices between genders can often be attributed to their differing social factors such as cultural norms, social boundaries or perceived attitudes within a particular society.

2. Whilst gender is responsible for a speaker’s language choices, the stark contrast in the language of the older and younger generation proves age is also a major factor in shaping an individual’s idiolect. However, this contrast is dependent on factors such as audience and context.

3. Even though a speaker’s language is greatly influenced by whether they are male or female, a speaker’s ethnic heritage may result in the exploitation of covert and overt norms to project a particular identity and show affiliation with a specific social sphere in society.

4. Apart from sex as a contributor to an individual’s idiolect, the occupation and interests of a speaker will impact the language they use. Features such as jargon and slang exclusive to specific occupations or interest groups allow members to either assert power and status or be more efficient at communicating with one another.

2. In addition to a speaker’s gender, their desire to assert group membership and social boundaries is a crucial variable that dictates language use.

3. While gender is undoubtedly instrumental in determining which linguistic features a speaker will employ, the context that speakers find themselves in and the expectations to which they are subjected have a large amount of influence on their usage of language.

which can be attributed to stereotypes and social expectations.

2: All individuals have a multifaceted identity which is

evident in their language. While gender forms a part of this identity, there are many other factors such as age, socioeconomic background and group membership which make a contribution.

3: The attitudes of speakers towards their own and others‘ language

form the foundation of covert and overt norms and thus determine the prestige of language of both men and women.

4: While variation exists between the language of men and women,

these differences are dependent on the context in which they find themselves.

2. Regardless of gender, factors such as culture and age also play an important role in contributing to the differences in language use .

3. The reception of attitudes that each sex garners from their language is a determinate in forming covert and overt prestige within a group.

4. It is often the social context and the role of the individual in the conversation that guides the language choice of speakers, rather than their gender.

women, and projects the attitudes that society has of both genders.

2.  Whilst gender is a large part of identity, age and sexual preference can have an influence on phonology, lexis and syntax. Often these variations indicate the groups to which a speaker belongs as members of the same social group will often speak using the same lexical features.

3.  Apart from gender, depending on a person’s occupation and level of education, a speaker may choose to manipulate their language in order to appeal to different audiences and social norms.