Gendered and genderless constructions of religious identity in a charismatic community of practice

• Main Authors: Tuplano, Ma. Vera Infante, Gustilo, Leah, Correo, Cynthia Borromeo
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2019
• Subjects: Language and sex; Language and languages—Sex differences; Sexism in language; Language and Literacy Education
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/3483; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/faculty_research/article/4485/type/native/viewcontent/genl.34739
• Institution: De La Salle University

A plethora of studies that account for the differential use of language by men and women have explained why such differences exist from the standpoint of Deficit, Dominance and Difference models, emphasising male and female dichotomy or male domination over women. The present study aims at filling a gap in language and gender research by underpinning its analysis with a social constructionist paradigm which views language and its interaction with the community of practice (CofP) as the conduits in shaping identity and by locating the context of the study inside a religious CofP. Our analyses indicated that the members of a Charismatic religious community share common self-presentation strategies when constructing their identities, rejecting the dualism that distinguishes male and female language. Both males and females in our study have the same tendencies in using Supplication, Intimidation, Admitting Mistakes, Apology and Excuse in the narration of their Old life and Exemplification and Burnishing in the characterisation of their New life. However, the same respondents also exhibited differential use of tactics that also bolster previous findings on gender order. The interlocking relations of language, identity (religious or social) and gender are mutually constructed and negotiated constantly in a community of practice which is influenced by cultural and religious practices. © 2019, equinox publishing