Women’s words - word of mouth on radio 4

[Nellodee]

A wonderful post by nepeta just reminded me of the latest episode of word Of mouth with Michael Rosen on radio 4. The guest was Dr jenni nuttall. At the end, she talked about the strange origin of the word girl, which is very cool and also about some changes of language coming from the top down with respect to women’s language rather than the bottom up, and hence meeting resistance. It was well worth a listen.
Girl started out with much less obedient connotations than it has now.

Oh that sounds intriguing and really interesting, thank you I will have a listen.

You made my day.

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001ljg4?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

Thanks tratjymp, I’m in my phone and I’ve never figured out how to do links on it.

Brilliant programme. Dr Nuttall is fascinating. She seems adamant about women and girls retaining their own words. Michael Rosen as diplomatic as ever - but I sensed he agrees with her. He seemed disapproving of the American description of boys and girls attending primary and secondary school as ' students '.

All the way through I was wondering whether they were going to talk about the very recent and highly visible changes in the meaning of words relating to women and was about to give up when the topic came up in a very pleasing way.

Thank you for this link. I listened and was so engaged started to relisten. At one point, I was reminded by a turn of phrase of a post on mumsnet and wonder if Dr Nuttall posts here.

What is so fascinating is how language first describes reality, but then in turn starts to shape it by moulding and framing our thought patterns and processes. That reality is the air breathed in by each generation. It is so easy to overlook this.

So, so engaging. It makes me realise the power that words really have to influence the way societies treat groups. Also made me think that having recognisable vocabulary for trans people separate from the language of sex would be so helpful, as these words confer status in their own right.

I will be buying the book.