An Analysis Of Gendered Fuzzy Lexis In Chinese Argumentation Writings By Secondary School Students

This research analyzed the different use of fuzzy lexis in Chinese argumentation writings by male students and female students at senior level in the secondary school. The research questions are: Are there significant differences in the use of fuzzy lexis in Chinese argumentation writings by male students and female students at senior level in the secondary school? How are these differences distributed? This study specifically analyzed the different use of fuzzy pronouns, fuzzy adjectives, fuzzy numbers, conjunctions and hedges in Chinese argumentation writings by male and female students.The materials for this study consist of 116 pieces of argumentation writings by students at senior level in the secondary school (59 by males and 57 by females). The analysis approach in this study was a combination of quantitative and qualitative, and all the data were analyzed through SPSS.The result proved that gendered lexical fuzziness differences actually exist in senior students'Chinese argumentation writings: First of all, the overall difference in the use of fuzzy lexis is significant, which proved previous researchers'assumption that females use more fuzzy language. Secondly, there are similarity and difference in the use of five types of fuzzy lexis. When it comes to each type of fuzzy lexis, it is found that females use more fuzzy first person plural pronouns, fuzzy adjectives and fuzzy numbers, and the differences are significant; females also use more hedges, and the difference is approaching significant; in the use of fuzzy conjunctions, there is no significant difference between males and females. The reason for the gendered lexical fuzziness in language lies in the sub-culture and different socialization in which males and females grow up. The difference between genders is only the different speaking styles. Thus when speaking, women tend to be polite and reserved, and they try to seek solidarity; while for males, they focus on information exchange, and report news, and they usually try to be different from others, and they are always ready to advance their opinion.Through this research into the gendered fuzziness in Chinese writings by male students and female students at senior level in the secondary school, people can have a better understanding of the features and the pragmatic function of fuzzy language, and thus promote the information exchange between males and females. Secondly, the findings may help teachers to pay more attention to the fuzziness teaching, so as to help and guide students to use fuzzy language positively and appropriately, and have a good command of language.