Sexism in Tanzanian Secondary School English Language Textbooks: Investigation of Adjective Attributions
Corresponding Author(s) : Fides Sylvanus Pangani
Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS),
##issue.vol## 11 ##issue.no## 2, (2022)
##article.abstract##
This research paper investigates sexism in Tanzania’s secondary school English language textbooks with a focus on the adjectives used to describe women and men in textbooks published between 2005 and 2014. The paper aims to reveal how women and men are described, uncover gender ideologies conveyed by adjective descriptions and characterise the gender ideologies as hegemonic or deviant. Data were collected through a critical textual review of eight (8) textbooks. This paper is anchored on the Feminist CDA theory; and Fairclough’s three-dimensional framework was used as the analytic tool whereby data were described, interpreted and explained. The findings indicate that women and men are perceived differently in terms of number and types of adjectives attributed to them despite some similar attributions. In particular, there are more adjectives describing men than women. It is also found out that women are described mostly by physical property adjectives than other personalities. The study also revealed that some ideologies conveyed by adjectives are hegemonic, while others are deviant. Generally, the adjectives used to represent women and men in Tanzania’s secondary English language textbooks portray a sexist attitude about women and men since many adjectives still indicate gender stereotypes despite some positive changes.
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- Barton, A. & L.N. Sakwa. 2012. The Representation of Gender in English Textbooks in Uganda. Pedagogy, Culture and Society, 20(2): 173–190.
- Cameron, D. 1990. The Feminist Critique of Language: A Reader. London : Routledge.
- Coetzee, V. & D.I. Perret. 2011. African and Caucasian Body Ideals in South Africa and the United States. Eat Behav., 12: 72–74.
- Dixon, R.M.W. 1982. Where Have All these Adjectives Gone? And Other Essays in Semantics and Syntax. Berlin: Mouton.
- Dixon, R.M.W. 2005. A Semantic Approach to English Grammar. (2nd ed). New York: OUP.
- Fairclough, N. 1989. Language and Power. New York: Longman.
- Fairclough, N. 1992. Discourse and Social Change. Cambridge: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
- Flynn, K.J. & M. Fitzgibbon. 1998. Body Images and Obesity Risk among Black Females: A Review of Literature. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 20(1): 13–24.
- Fowler, R. 1996. Linguistic Criticism. (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
- Gharbavi, A. & S.A. Mousavi. 2012. Investigating Gender Bias as a Social Prominence in Iranian High School English Textbooks. English Linguistics Research. 1(1). Available at www.sciedu.ca/elr. Retrieved on 20th October 2014.
- Hartman, P.L. & E. L. Judd. 1978. Sexism and TESOL Materials. TESOL Quarterly, 12 (4): 383–393.
- Holmes, J. 2013. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. (4th ed.). New York: Routledge.
- Lakoff, R. 1975. Language and Woman’s Place. New York: Harper & Row.
- Lazar, M.M. 2007. ‘Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis: Articulating a Feminist Discourse Praxis.’ Critical Discourse Studies, 4(2): 141–164.
- Mbilinyi, D.A.S. 1996. Women and Gender Relations in School Textbooks. In D.A.S Mbilinyi & C.K. Omari (Eds.). Gender Relations and Women’s Images in the Media. Dar es Salaam: Dar es Salaam University Press, pp. 90–104.
- Merrian, S.B., & E.J. Tisdell. 2015. Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation (4th ed.). New York: Wiley and Sons Inc.
- Mkuchu, S.G.V. 2004. Gender Roles in Textbooks as a Function of Hidden Curriculum in Tanzanian Primary Schools. Unpublished PhD dissertation, University of South Africa.
- Mooney, A. 2011. What is Language? In Mooney, J.S. Pecci, S. LaBelle, B.E. Henriksen, E. Eppler, A. Irwin, P. Pichler, S. Preece & S. Soden (Eds). Language, Society & Power: An Introduction. (3rd ed). London: Routledge, 1–22.
- Nagatomo, D.H. 2010. A Critical Analysis of Gender Representation in an EFL Textbook. Journal of the Ochanomizu University English Society. 1, pp 53–61.
- Ndura, E. 2004. ESL and Cultural Bias: An Analysis of Elementary through High School Textbooks in the Western United States of America. Language, Culture and Curriculum 17(2): 143–153.
- Ng Yu, J., Y. C. Ling, C. S. Tong, L.Y. Ling & A. T. M. Ariff. 2013. An Analysis on Gender-based Language and Illustrations in Malaysian Secondary Schools’ English Language and Literature Textbooks. International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 3(18): 115–127.
- Persson, G. 1990. Meanings, Models and Metaphors: A study in Lexical Semantics in English. Umeå: Acta Universitatis Umensis.
- Porreca, K. L. 1984. Sexism in Current ESL Textbooks. TESOL Quarterly 18 (4), (December). Available at http: //jstor.org/stable/3586584. Accessed on 03/12/2014.
- Poulou, S. (1997). Sexism in the Discourse Roles of Textbook Dialogues. Language Learner Journal, 15: 68–73.
- Prentice, A.M. 2006. The Emerging Epidemic of Obesity in Developing Countries. Int J Epidemiol. 35: 93–99. Doi: 10.1093/ije/dyi272.
- Rosemberg, F., N.C. Moura., & P.V.B. Silva. 2009. Fighting Sexism in Textbooks: Agenda Construction and its Critics. Available at https: //www.scielo.br/
- Richards, J. 1989. Introduction. In J. Richards (Ed.). Imperialism and Juvenile Literature. New York: Manchester UP. pp. 1–11.
- Saarikivi, K. 2012. Gender Representation in the Finnish EFL Textbook Series: The New Headlines and Smart Moves. Pro Gradu thesis, University of Tampere.
- Sabir, A. 2008. Review of Moroccan School Textbooks for Gender Equality and Human Rights’. Regional Director (HREA): Project Results. 14 (3). Available at http: //achr.hn/newen 63.html. Accessed on 30th October, 2014.
- Söylemez, A. S. 2010. A Study on How Social Gender Identity is Constructed in EFL Coursebooks. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 9(2010): 747–752.
- Thomas, L. 2004. Language, Society and Power: An Introduction (2nd ed). Ishtla Singh and Jean Stilwell Peccei. London and New York: Routledge.
- Tovée, M.J., V. Swami, A. Furnham & R. Mangalparsad. 2000. Changing Perceptions of Attractiveness as Observers are Exposed to Different Culture. Evol Hum Behav., 27: 443–456
- United Republic of Tanzania, Ministry of Education and Culture. 1995. Education and Training Policy. Dar es Salaam.
- Wareing, S. 2004. ‘Language and Gender’. In I. Singh & J.S. Peccei Language, Society and Power: An Introduction (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge. pp 91–112.
- Yahya-Othman, S., A. Keya., & E. Msuya. 2009. Gender Responsiveness in Language Use in Textbooks for Tanzanian Primary Schools: Initial Draft. Mimeo. University of Dar es Salaam.
- Textbooks Analysed
- Bukagile, G.R. 2010. English Language for Secondary Schools, Book One. Dar es Salaam: Nyambari Nyangwine Publishers.
- Bukagile, G.R., J.E, Kinunda. & D.T. Msabila. 2008. English Language for Secondary Schools, Book Four. Dar es Salaam: Nyambari Nyangwine Publishers.
- Bukagile, G.R. & J.E. Kinunda. 2010. English Language for Secondary Schools, Book Two. Dar es Salaam: Nyambari Nyangwine Publishers.
- Dosi, S. & N. Esmail. 2013. Secondary English, Form 2, Student’s Book. Dar es Salaam: Oxford University Press Tanzania Ltd.
- Kadeghe, M. 2007. The Real English for the Tanzanian Secondary schools, Form 3. Dar es Salaam: Afroplus Industrial Ltd.
- Kioko, A., A. Korogoto. & L. Kariuki. 2009. Secondary English Form Three. Dar es Salaam: Oxford University Press Tanzania Ltd.
- Kioko, A., A. Korogoto. & L. Kariuki. 2009. Secondary English Form Four. Dar es Salaam: Oxford University Press Tanzania Ltd.
- Kioko, A & L. Kariuki. 2014. Secondary English, Form 1, Student’s Book. Dar es Salaam: Oxford University Press Tanzania Ltd.
##journal.references##
Barton, A. & L.N. Sakwa. 2012. The Representation of Gender in English Textbooks in Uganda. Pedagogy, Culture and Society, 20(2): 173–190.
Cameron, D. 1990. The Feminist Critique of Language: A Reader. London : Routledge.
Coetzee, V. & D.I. Perret. 2011. African and Caucasian Body Ideals in South Africa and the United States. Eat Behav., 12: 72–74.
Dixon, R.M.W. 1982. Where Have All these Adjectives Gone? And Other Essays in Semantics and Syntax. Berlin: Mouton.
Dixon, R.M.W. 2005. A Semantic Approach to English Grammar. (2nd ed). New York: OUP.
Fairclough, N. 1989. Language and Power. New York: Longman.
Fairclough, N. 1992. Discourse and Social Change. Cambridge: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Flynn, K.J. & M. Fitzgibbon. 1998. Body Images and Obesity Risk among Black Females: A Review of Literature. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 20(1): 13–24.
Fowler, R. 1996. Linguistic Criticism. (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
Gharbavi, A. & S.A. Mousavi. 2012. Investigating Gender Bias as a Social Prominence in Iranian High School English Textbooks. English Linguistics Research. 1(1). Available at www.sciedu.ca/elr. Retrieved on 20th October 2014.
Hartman, P.L. & E. L. Judd. 1978. Sexism and TESOL Materials. TESOL Quarterly, 12 (4): 383–393.
Holmes, J. 2013. An Introduction to Sociolinguistics. (4th ed.). New York: Routledge.
Lakoff, R. 1975. Language and Woman’s Place. New York: Harper & Row.
Lazar, M.M. 2007. ‘Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis: Articulating a Feminist Discourse Praxis.’ Critical Discourse Studies, 4(2): 141–164.
Mbilinyi, D.A.S. 1996. Women and Gender Relations in School Textbooks. In D.A.S Mbilinyi & C.K. Omari (Eds.). Gender Relations and Women’s Images in the Media. Dar es Salaam: Dar es Salaam University Press, pp. 90–104.
Merrian, S.B., & E.J. Tisdell. 2015. Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and Implementation (4th ed.). New York: Wiley and Sons Inc.
Mkuchu, S.G.V. 2004. Gender Roles in Textbooks as a Function of Hidden Curriculum in Tanzanian Primary Schools. Unpublished PhD dissertation, University of South Africa.
Mooney, A. 2011. What is Language? In Mooney, J.S. Pecci, S. LaBelle, B.E. Henriksen, E. Eppler, A. Irwin, P. Pichler, S. Preece & S. Soden (Eds). Language, Society & Power: An Introduction. (3rd ed). London: Routledge, 1–22.
Nagatomo, D.H. 2010. A Critical Analysis of Gender Representation in an EFL Textbook. Journal of the Ochanomizu University English Society. 1, pp 53–61.
Ndura, E. 2004. ESL and Cultural Bias: An Analysis of Elementary through High School Textbooks in the Western United States of America. Language, Culture and Curriculum 17(2): 143–153.
Ng Yu, J., Y. C. Ling, C. S. Tong, L.Y. Ling & A. T. M. Ariff. 2013. An Analysis on Gender-based Language and Illustrations in Malaysian Secondary Schools’ English Language and Literature Textbooks. International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences 3(18): 115–127.
Persson, G. 1990. Meanings, Models and Metaphors: A study in Lexical Semantics in English. Umeå: Acta Universitatis Umensis.
Porreca, K. L. 1984. Sexism in Current ESL Textbooks. TESOL Quarterly 18 (4), (December). Available at http: //jstor.org/stable/3586584. Accessed on 03/12/2014.
Poulou, S. (1997). Sexism in the Discourse Roles of Textbook Dialogues. Language Learner Journal, 15: 68–73.
Prentice, A.M. 2006. The Emerging Epidemic of Obesity in Developing Countries. Int J Epidemiol. 35: 93–99. Doi: 10.1093/ije/dyi272.
Rosemberg, F., N.C. Moura., & P.V.B. Silva. 2009. Fighting Sexism in Textbooks: Agenda Construction and its Critics. Available at https: //www.scielo.br/
Richards, J. 1989. Introduction. In J. Richards (Ed.). Imperialism and Juvenile Literature. New York: Manchester UP. pp. 1–11.
Saarikivi, K. 2012. Gender Representation in the Finnish EFL Textbook Series: The New Headlines and Smart Moves. Pro Gradu thesis, University of Tampere.
Sabir, A. 2008. Review of Moroccan School Textbooks for Gender Equality and Human Rights’. Regional Director (HREA): Project Results. 14 (3). Available at http: //achr.hn/newen 63.html. Accessed on 30th October, 2014.
Söylemez, A. S. 2010. A Study on How Social Gender Identity is Constructed in EFL Coursebooks. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 9(2010): 747–752.
Thomas, L. 2004. Language, Society and Power: An Introduction (2nd ed). Ishtla Singh and Jean Stilwell Peccei. London and New York: Routledge.
Tovée, M.J., V. Swami, A. Furnham & R. Mangalparsad. 2000. Changing Perceptions of Attractiveness as Observers are Exposed to Different Culture. Evol Hum Behav., 27: 443–456
United Republic of Tanzania, Ministry of Education and Culture. 1995. Education and Training Policy. Dar es Salaam.
Wareing, S. 2004. ‘Language and Gender’. In I. Singh & J.S. Peccei Language, Society and Power: An Introduction (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge. pp 91–112.
Yahya-Othman, S., A. Keya., & E. Msuya. 2009. Gender Responsiveness in Language Use in Textbooks for Tanzanian Primary Schools: Initial Draft. Mimeo. University of Dar es Salaam.
Textbooks Analysed
Bukagile, G.R. 2010. English Language for Secondary Schools, Book One. Dar es Salaam: Nyambari Nyangwine Publishers.
Bukagile, G.R., J.E, Kinunda. & D.T. Msabila. 2008. English Language for Secondary Schools, Book Four. Dar es Salaam: Nyambari Nyangwine Publishers.
Bukagile, G.R. & J.E. Kinunda. 2010. English Language for Secondary Schools, Book Two. Dar es Salaam: Nyambari Nyangwine Publishers.
Dosi, S. & N. Esmail. 2013. Secondary English, Form 2, Student’s Book. Dar es Salaam: Oxford University Press Tanzania Ltd.
Kadeghe, M. 2007. The Real English for the Tanzanian Secondary schools, Form 3. Dar es Salaam: Afroplus Industrial Ltd.
Kioko, A., A. Korogoto. & L. Kariuki. 2009. Secondary English Form Three. Dar es Salaam: Oxford University Press Tanzania Ltd.
Kioko, A., A. Korogoto. & L. Kariuki. 2009. Secondary English Form Four. Dar es Salaam: Oxford University Press Tanzania Ltd.
Kioko, A & L. Kariuki. 2014. Secondary English, Form 1, Student’s Book. Dar es Salaam: Oxford University Press Tanzania Ltd.