Reprezentace ženství z perspektivy lingvistiky genderových a sexuálních identit

Speech in the Czech public space is characterised by a preference for certain language practices that collectively reflect and reproduce a polarised, mutually hierarchised image of two social genders with specifically “feminine” and “masculine” characteristics and domains. The author focuses on patterns of language expression found in speech in the public space from the perspective of representations of femininity. The fundamental questions include to what extent we are aware of the embeddedness of speech acts in social contexts, how gender norms and expectations are reflected in language, and how they can be challenged.

The Czech language has an exceptionally rich repertoire of means and strategies that make it possible to construct the so-called traditional gender and sexual identities as well as to foster a well-balanced culture of expression. If we want to express ourselves freely, make our speech an expression of our personality, and not let ourselves be manipulated by stereotypes and concepts, critical reflection on external influences is essential. Gender and sexual identity linguistics is one of the recent fields in Czech linguistics – many interesting topics with great application potential for the media, institutions, and the public are waiting for interdisciplinary research to get underway with the participation of the Czech linguistic community. The book features contributions by Dennis Scheller-Boltz and Pavla Špondrová.