Abstract

This study examines the relationship between tentative language use and Jordanians’ self-awareness of their social identities in the context of self-categorization theory. Previous research has adequately expected and revealed an association between tentative language use and Americans’ self-recognition of their gender and social status differences. The present study asks whether the same connection holds in the patriarchal Jordanian society, where men still have more power than women, compared to Western societies. Eighteen Jordanian high-status females were paired with 18 Jordanian low-status males. Participants were asked to discuss some predetermined gender/status-neutral topics after priming one of three social identities available to them: their distinct gender identity, their distinct social status identity, or their shared national identity. Each dyadic intergroup discussion was audiotaped and transcribed. Results demonstrated that Jordanian high-status women are less assertive than Jordanian low-status men in their cross-gender verbal communication. Research results revealed that tentative language is gender-preferred in Jordanian society, less affected by the salience of social identities other than gender. Findings suggest that sociolinguistic research on language and gender should consider sociocultural particularities of the community to secure a clearer understanding of how social power is communicated through (tentative) language.