Talking about Wolf-Whistles: Negotiating Gender Positions in Conversation

Abstract

Afrikaans

In this article we analyse a conversation between a man and a woman discussing the effect of wolf-whistles on women. In an attempt to reach consensus both participants appear to change their views. By blending elements of discourse and conversation analysis, the article examines the conversational outcome and the effects of gender and power on the discourse positions taken up by the participants. Wolf-whistling is a gendered activity and the implications of this become clear in the contradictory positions drawn on by each as they try to reach consensus. This makes it difficult for them to ‘share’ the conversation and the outcome, although collaborative, misrepresents the complexity of the negotiations which preceded it.

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