SEXIST LANGUAGE IN WITI IHIMAERA’S NOVEL THE WHALE RIDER

Authors

  • Irene Kerubo Osano Mount Kenya University, Kenya
  • Jane Ombati PhD, Mount Kenya University, Kenya
  • Janet Omwancha Mount Kenya University, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejals.v8i3.652

Keywords:

sexist, gender, equality, language

Abstract

This article critically analyses sexist language in Witi Ihimaera’s novel The Whale Rider, focusing on how gender is represented through character utterances and narrative voice. Using Social Dominance Theory and Critical Discourse Analysis, the study explores how traditional gender roles and patriarchal ideologies are reinforced or challenged in the text. Findings reveal that despite a strong female protagonist, sexist attitudes are deeply embedded in the speech of certain male characters, highlighting the tension between cultural tradition and gender equality. The article concludes that The Whale Rider both critiques and reflects existing gender dynamics, offering a rich site for examining how language shapes and maintains power hierarchies.

References

Fairclough, N. (2001). Language and power (2nd ed.). Longman. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315838250

Ihimaera, W. (2003). The Whale Rider. Harcourt. Retrieved from https://books.google.it/books/about/The_Whale_Rider.html?id=EFFBLreZ-_8C&redir_esc=y

Lakoff, R. (1975). Language and woman’s place. Harper & Row. Retrieved from https://web.stanford.edu/class/linguist156/Lakoff_1973.pdf

Sidanius, J., & Pratto, F. (1999). Social dominance: An intergroup theory of social hierarchy and oppression. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139175043

Tannen, D. (1990). You just don’t understand: Women and men in conversation. William Morrow. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Josep-Maria-Cots/publication/46314186_Tannen_D_1991_You_just_don't_understand_Women_and_men_in_conversation/links/54e70b1b0cf2b19906093ea9/Tannen-D-1991-You-just-dont-understand-Women-and-men-in-conversation.pdf

van Dijk, T. A. (1993). Principles of critical discourse analysis. Discourse & Society, 4(2), 249–283. https://doi.org/10.1177/0957926593004002006

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Published

2025-10-13

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Articles

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