A Literature Review on the Study of the Gender Differences in Language

Language and gender is an important topic in sociolinguistic studies based on the relative theories and studies about language and gender. This paper is a literature review of the research discoveries both at home and abroad. The western research methods of gender difference in linguistics experience two different periods: the first one is unsystematic study period and the second one is systematical study period. In the past 30 years, the major models on language and gender studies include deficit theory, dominance theory, difference theory, polite theory and construction theory. Besides, it also previses readers the four main contents of language and gender study in China: the introduction and review of theory, the language use strategy, language application ability and conversational style. It also proposes the trend of further study to some degree.