Revealing Women and Men Language Features in “Holidate” Movie: An Analysis of Main Character

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the differences in language used by men and women by referring to the use of language features in the theory proposed by Lakoff (1975) about the language features of women and Coates (2004) discussing the features of the male language. It also proved the inconsistency of each gender retains their language features. The data was obtained from dialogue from male and female main characters supported by other characters in the movie Holidate. The method used was descriptive qualitative supported by the statement of Mack et. al. (2005). It was also enhanced by several previous studies and books that also discussed research on similar topics. The technique used was the documentary technique because it related to subtitles in movies. The results of this study proved that not all language features were used and found that the main characters in this movie were inconsistent in certain situations because of several factors. The inconsistency happened when the women use the men’s language feture and vice versa. These inconsistencies were influenced by  plot, society, nature of the family, and by the difference of intended function in each feature that makes women and men use language features related to their goals in a conversation.