IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

IIARD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (IJGEM )

E-ISSN 2504-8821
P-ISSN 2695-1878
VOL. 10 NO. 3 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56201/ijgem.v10.no3.2024.pg81.88

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Sociolinguistic Variations and Gender Differences in Language Usage Among Medical Students in Bayelsa State

Dr. Teibowei, Marie Therese

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Abstract

Sociolinguistic variations in the context of gender represent a fascinating and intricate field of study, delving into the multifaceted ways language intertwines with societal constructs of gender. The study examined sociolinguistic variations and gender differences in language usage among medical students in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A correlational survey design was adopted for the study. Two research questions and hypotheses were raised to guide the study. The population of the study consists of all medical of the three medical tertiary institutions in Bayelsa State. A sample of 399, which consists of 199 nurses, 70 medical laboratory scientists, 50 information officers, and 80 pharmacists randomly drawn from the population, was used in the study. The instrument for data collection was a “Sociolinguistic Variations and Gender Differences in Language Usage Questionnaire (SVGDLUQ)” developed by the researcher and validated by a specialist. The instrument's reliability was established using the Cronbach Alpha Formula, and a coefficient value of 0.72 was obtained. The research questions were answered, and hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC). It was revealed that there is a solid and positive relationship between sociolinguistic variations and gender differences in language usage among medical students in Bayelsa State. It was recommended that stakeholders encourage education and awareness programs that celebrate linguistic diversity, fostering respect for different communication styles among genders within the medical world.

Sociolinguistic Variations, Gender Differences, Language Usage, Medical Students

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References:

Brown, R. & Gilman, M. (2016). The pronouns of power and solidarity in Sebeoki. Thomas A.
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Daba, H. A. (2017). Sociolinguistic study of address terms in Hausa. Ph.D. dissertation,
University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Holmes, J. (2016). Introduction to Sociolinguistics: Addison Wesley Longman Publish, New
York.

Jesperson, O. (2022). Language: It’s Nature Development and Origin London: George Allen
and Unwin Ltd.

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