语言是社会的一面镜子。1975年著名社会语言学家Robin Lakoff引入了 “women’s register” (女性语域)这个概念,她观察到,美国女性为了缓和谈话或者为了减弱表达观点时的侵略性,会出现以下这些特征:❶Tag questions使用很多反义疑问句“This election mess is terrible, isn’t it?”“这届选举乱套了,是吧?”❷ Rising intonation on declaratives陈述句也用升调结尾A: “When will dinner be ready?”“晚饭什么时候好啊?”B:“Six o’clock.”↑“六点。”↑❸ The use of various kinds of hedges.用插入成分避免过分直接的表达“That’s kinda sad.” Vs. “That’s sad.”“是有点可怜”Vs.“可怜”“It’s probably dinner time.” Vs. “It’s dinner time.”“或许该吃饭了吧”Vs.“该吃饭了”“I don’t really want it.” Vs. “I don’t want it.”“我不太想这么做”Vs.“我不想这么做”“I wondered if I could have a word with you.” Vs. “Can I have a word with you?”“我在想是否可以借一步说话”Vs.“我能跟你聊聊吗”“The answer could be that the trees have some sort of disease.” Vs. “The answer is that...”“答案可能是这些树得了某种病”Vs.“答案是……”❹ Boosters or amplifiers.加重语气,放大情感“I am so glad you are here.”“你在这儿,我太高兴了。”❺ Indirection.迂回表述Saying “Well, I’ve got a dentist appointment then” in order to convey a reluctance