Gender Differences in the Speech Events of Kurdistan Parliament

Abstract

This study tackles the differences between male and female MPs’ language in Kurdistan Parliament and the reasons behind such differences. The study investigates the extent and the type of gender differences between male and female MPs in Kurdistan and how these differences may lead to misunderstandings while debating. . In addition, the study highlights the MPs’ perspective on gender stereotypes and how such perspectives may affect their interactions. A quantitative method has been used to analyze the data of the study. First, an ethnographic description of Kurdistan Parliament according to Hymes's speaking framework was given, focusing on the setting, the participants and the act sequence. Second, a questionnaire was prepared as the data collection tool of the study. Based on the analysis of the collected data, it was found out that both male and female MPs strongly agreed that gender differences in language use could lead to misunderstandings. Moreover, MPs confirmed that the Kurdish society is patriarchal, and this leads to male dominance in most of the social interactions including parliamentary debates.