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Lexical choices and the construction of gender in Malaysian children's literature

The process children go through when learning about gender roles is an essential part of their knowledge construction. This acquired knowledge helps them learn about their roles in society. However, problems occur when children are presented with stereotypical constructions of masculinity and femini...

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Main Authors: Nair, Ramesh, Talif, Rosli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia 2010
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/15451/1/Lexical%20choices%20and%20the%20construction%20of%20gender%20in%20Malaysian%20children.pdf
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/15451/
http://web.usm.my/km/vol28_2_2010.html
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spelling my.upm.eprints.154512016-11-03T05:45:59Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/15451/ Lexical choices and the construction of gender in Malaysian children's literature Nair, Ramesh Talif, Rosli The process children go through when learning about gender roles is an essential part of their knowledge construction. This acquired knowledge helps them learn about their roles in society. However, problems occur when children are presented with stereotypical constructions of masculinity and femininity that may inhibit their development. Thus, children's literature must be evaluated to uncover gendered messages. While overtly sexist messages in children's stories can be easily identified, the more subtle nuances of language require careful analysis. This paper begins by stressing the urgent need to evaluate Malaysian children's literature published in the English language. By distinguishing between "overt" and "covert" sexism in children's literature, we argue that the role of language in messages about gender identity in children's literature must be emphasised. Based on a selection of Malaysian children's literature, we attempt an analysis of lexical items that construct gender roles and identities, and we use computer-based programmes to reveal how power relations are established between males and females. Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia 2010 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/15451/1/Lexical%20choices%20and%20the%20construction%20of%20gender%20in%20Malaysian%20children.pdf Nair, Ramesh and Talif, Rosli (2010) Lexical choices and the construction of gender in Malaysian children's literature. Kajian Malaysia, 28 (2). pp. 137-159. ISSN 0127-4082; ESSN: 2180-4273 http://web.usm.my/km/vol28_2_2010.html
institution Universiti Putra Malaysia
building UPM Library
collection Institutional Repository
continent Asia
country Malaysia
content_provider Universiti Putra Malaysia
content_source UPM Institutional Repository
url_provider http://psasir.upm.edu.my/
language English
description The process children go through when learning about gender roles is an essential part of their knowledge construction. This acquired knowledge helps them learn about their roles in society. However, problems occur when children are presented with stereotypical constructions of masculinity and femininity that may inhibit their development. Thus, children's literature must be evaluated to uncover gendered messages. While overtly sexist messages in children's stories can be easily identified, the more subtle nuances of language require careful analysis. This paper begins by stressing the urgent need to evaluate Malaysian children's literature published in the English language. By distinguishing between "overt" and "covert" sexism in children's literature, we argue that the role of language in messages about gender identity in children's literature must be emphasised. Based on a selection of Malaysian children's literature, we attempt an analysis of lexical items that construct gender roles and identities, and we use computer-based programmes to reveal how power relations are established between males and females.
format Article
author Nair, Ramesh
Talif, Rosli
spellingShingle Nair, Ramesh
Talif, Rosli
Lexical choices and the construction of gender in Malaysian children's literature
author_facet Nair, Ramesh
Talif, Rosli
author_sort Nair, Ramesh
title Lexical choices and the construction of gender in Malaysian children's literature
title_short Lexical choices and the construction of gender in Malaysian children's literature
title_full Lexical choices and the construction of gender in Malaysian children's literature
title_fullStr Lexical choices and the construction of gender in Malaysian children's literature
title_full_unstemmed Lexical choices and the construction of gender in Malaysian children's literature
title_sort lexical choices and the construction of gender in malaysian children's literature
publisher Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia
publishDate 2010
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/15451/1/Lexical%20choices%20and%20the%20construction%20of%20gender%20in%20Malaysian%20children.pdf
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/15451/
http://web.usm.my/km/vol28_2_2010.html
_version_ 1643825937593139200
score 13.211869

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