GENDER AND MEANING : A SEMANTIC ANALYSIS ACROSS LANGUANGES

• Deswita Fitriani Samosir

  Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar, Indonesia

  Author

• Bernieke Anggita Ristia Damanik

  Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar, Indonesia

  Author

This study explores the semantic dimensions of gender across 
multiple languages to uncover how gender influences meaning in 
linguistic 
structures and communication. By conducting a 
comparative semantic analysis, this research examines how 
grammatical gender, lexical choices, and pragmatic usage shape and 
reflect societal gender roles in different linguistic contexts. The 
study analyzes languages with diverse gender systems, including 
grammatical gender languages (Spanish, German, Arabic), natural 
gender languages (English), and gender-neutral languages (Finnish, 
Turkish). The findings reveal that gendered semantics vary 
significantly across languages but consistently impact meaning 
construction, social identity, and cultural communication norms. 
This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of language as a 
social tool influenced by gender and highlights implications for 
linguistics, gender studies, and intercultural communication. 

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