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Some grammatical rules are more difficult than others: the case of the generic interpretation of the masculine

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-07, 18:56 authored by Pascal Gygax, Ute Gabriel, Oriane Sarrasin, Jane OakhillJane Oakhill, Alan GarnhamAlan Garnham
In this paper we argue that the generic use of the masculine represents a grammatical rule that might be easy to learn but difficult to apply when understanding texts. This argument is substantiated by reviewing the relevant literature as well as, the recent work conducted by the GREL Group (Gender Representation in Language) on the interaction between stereotypical and grammatical information in the construction of a representation of gender when reading role names. The studies presented in this paper show that the masculine form used as a generic to refer to persons of both sexes, or to persons of indefinite sex or whose sex is irrelevant, in gender marked languages is likely to be associated with its specific meaning (i.e., masculine refers only to men). This is true even though the generic nature of the masculine is a very common grammatical rule learnt at school. People may have learned this rule and may understand it, but may not readily apply it.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

European Journal of Psychology of Education

ISSN

0256-2928

Publisher

Springer-Verlag

Issue

2

Volume

24

Page range

235-246

Pages

12.0

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-02-06

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