A SOCIOLINGUISTIC ANALYSIS OF GENDER INFLUENCE ON LANGUAGE USE AMONG 400 LEVEL ENGLISH STUDENTS AT EKITI STATE UNIVERSITY

The thrust of this study is a sociolinguistic analysis of the gender on language use. The method of investigation used for this study is questionnaire. This study has established the fact that the differences between male and female in ways of interacting often leads to wrong notions, meanings and interpretations given to certain statements and gestures. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods to investigate the linguistic features and communication styles characteristic of male and female students. Findings revealed significant differences in language use patterns, with female students exhibiting more collaborative and supportive language, while male students tended to use more assertive and competitive language. The study's results have implications for language teaching and learning, highlighting the need for instructors to recognize and value diverse language use patterns. Recommendations include incorporating gender-sensitive language instruction and promoting awareness of linguistic diversity in the classroom. The study utilized instruments such as questionnaires, interviews, and discourse analysis to gather data, providing a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between gender and language use among young adults. It was also discovered that the differences between male female in the aspects of turn taking, use of minimal responses, use of questions, shift between topics, loud and aggressive arguments, often result in miscommunication and misinterpretation and when this happens, it leads to breakdown in communication.