Lexico-Syntactic Variations in the Fulfulde Speech of Men and Women in the City of Maroua

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to identify the differences between men and women’s use of Fulfulde. Focus is laid on uniqueness of male and female speech in the lexico-syntactic domain. Interviews conducted with male and female speakers of Fulfulde and observation of daily casual or informal conversations were used as devices for data collection. The study is based on Lakoff’s (1975) frame, which formulates ten features of women’s language style. Following investigation, findings indicate that there are differences between male’s and female’s speech, though similarities also abound. It was found that women used more emotionally-charged expressions or words, euphemisms and interjections than men to convey a message of condolences, express divorce and praise children. Unlike men, women also had a high tendency to use periphrases or indirect forms to announce childbirth or pregnancy, a reality which is still considered a taboo in Fulani communities. Female speakers used more polite or deferential expressions to call men and answer men’s call than the latter. Lastly, men were found to be more assertive, direct, rude or impolite in their daily interaction. This study therefore contributes to shed more light on the fact that men and women have distinct language use in different contexts in Fulfulde.