Abstract:
Language plays a major function in
begetting and propelling the principles of power,
social relations and gender. The gendered roles
allotted to males and females are not only overtly
stated but they are also enshrined in culture. The
unequal power relations that exist between males
and females and w hich promote disequilibrium
between them are first noted during the
socialization process, where males are expected to
exhibit potency, supremacy and dominion while
females are anticipated to demonstrate submission
and subordination. Thus, anyone who goes against
the norm is rebuked. Because of this inequality,
women are relegated to the periphery and this has
drastically affected their perspectives about the
world, their self-esteem and performance in
general. This study sought to examine the frequent
use of misogynistic terms and images in reference
to women since gender inequality is apparent in
various domains, the fishing sector included. The
Critical Discourse Analysis Theory of Fairclough
(2001) was adopted because it attempts at exposing
the underlying complex but crucial issues of
dominance, injustice and inequality that plague the
society in general and the fishing community in
particular. This study is vital since there is need to
achieve gender parity and to adopt and use
language that embraces all the players in the
fishing sector. In addition, a gender sensitive
language is aimed at changing the attitudes of
those who use misogynistic language intentionally
or unintentionally so that there is respect, harmony
and cohesion in this trade.
