A contrastive analysis of sexist language in english and vietnamese literary works

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HANOI OPEN UNIVERSITY M.A Thesis A CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS OF SEXIST LANGUAGE IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE LITERARY WORKS (Đối chiếu ngôn ngữ kỳ thị giới số tác phẩm văn học Anh Việt Nam) Phạm Nguyễn Bình Nguyên Field: English Language Code: 8.22.02.01 Hanoi - 2021 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HANOI OPEN UNIVERSITY M.A Thesis A CONTRASTIVE ANALYSIS OF SEXIST LANGUAGE IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMESE LITERARY WORKS (Đối chiếu ngôn ngữ kỳ thị giới số tác phẩm văn học Anh Việt Nam) Phạm Nguyễn Bình Nguyên Field: English Language Code: 8.22.02.01 Supervisor: Dr Le Thi Minh Thao Hanoi - 2021 DECLARATION I, the undersigned, hereby certify my authority of the study project report entitled "A contrastive analysis of sexist language in English and Vietnamese literary works" submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in English Language Except where the reference is indicated, no other person‘s work has been used without due acknowledgement in the text of the thesis Hanoi, 2021 Pham Nguyen Binh Nguyen Approved by SUPERVISOR Lê Thị Minh Thảo Date:…………………… i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express my appreciation to my supervisor, Dr Le Thi Minh Thao, who has supported and helped me with her suggestions and insightful comments all these months in this difficult undertaking of writing a Master Thesis I am indebted to teachers at the Library Department who facilitated me in browsing and borrowing documents to complete this thesis Last but not least, I must thank my family, my seniors and lecturers in the faculty for the support they provided me during this period ii ABSTRACT This study focuses on a cross - cultural analysis of sexist language used in English and Vietnamese literary works This paper aims to investigate linguistic factors indicating sexism in various English and Vietnamese literary works, contribute in studying and elucidating the role of language in gender equality assist researchers in sexism specifically in terms of English and Vietnamese literary works The study used contrastive analysis method to discover the characteristics of sexism in English and Vietnamese literary works through 12 English literary works and 09 Vietnamese works Results of the study showed that sexism in English and Vietnamese literature are remarkably simple, although sexism against men in English literature was not apparent On the other hand, sexism language used against women was more severe and serious, and the tropes and characteristics of sexism against women in the two countries are also visibly different Through identifying the similarities and differences of sexism in English and Vietnamese literary works, the study suggests certain methods to avoid sexist characteristics in literature in particular and in daily life in general so that it could be avoided Keywords: sexism, sexist language, English literature, Vietnamese literature, English literary works, Vietnamese literary works iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii ABSTRACT iii CHAPTER 1.1 Rationale: 1.2 Aims and objectives: 1.3 Scope of the study: 1.4 Research questions: 1.5 Research orientation: 1.6 Research methods: 1.7 Structure of the Thesis: CHAPTER LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Review of previous studies : 2.1.1 Studies of sexism in the world 2.1.2 Studies of sexism in Vietnam 2.2 Review of theoretical background: 2.2.1 Sexism 2.2.2 Gender, gender marking and gender system in languages 10 2.2.3 The arbitrariness of grammatical gender system, especially gender-identifying systems 11 2.2.4 Lexical void 12 2.2.5 Morphological imbalance in agent nouns depicting males and females 14 2.3 Summary 15 CHAPTER 3: SEXIST LANGUAGE IN ENGLISH AND VIETNAMES LITERARY WORKS 16 3.1 3.1.1 Sexist characteristics in English literary works 16 Sexism against women 16 iv 3.1.2 Sexism against men 27 3.2 Sexist characteristics in Vietnamese literary works 30 3.2.1 Sexism against women 30 3.2.2 Sexism against men 42 3.2.3 Contrastive analysis of sexist characteristics in English and Vietnamese literature 44 3.2.5 Summary 48 CHAPTER CONCLUSION 49 4.1 Recapitulation 49 4.2 Concluding remarks 49 4.3 Limitation of the research 50 4.4 Suggestion for further studies 51 REFERENCES: 52 LITERARY MATERIALS 54 APPENDICES: DATA COLLECTION SHEETS 55 Appendix Sexism against women in English literary works 55 Appendix Sexism against men in English literary works 61 Appendix Sexism against women in Vietnamese literary works 63 Appendix Sexism against men in Vietnamese literary works 67 Appendix Proposals for avoiding sexism in English literature 71 v CHAPTER INTRODUCTION 1.1 Rationale: Gender equality is an important goal not only to Vietnam but also other nations around the world, also being one of the criteria for assessing the development of a society According to the United Nations, gender equality me ans that women and men enjoy the same conditions to fully realize human rights, have the opportunity to enjoy and contribute to the achievements of developing countries in terms of politics, economy, society and culture However, in reality, gender inequality still takes place under a number of different forms, such as linguistic sexism Sexism in life is various in forms and different at levels It is probably most readily associated with economic issues, such as equal pay for equal work The role played by language in maintaining and strengthening sexist values, however, is less widely understood or acknowledged This is probably because linguistic sexism is much more deeply rooted and far more subtle than other forms of sexism The fight for equality of both women and men in such domains as politics and economy has worked effectively and successfully, but in language it seems to be much weaker and receive far less attention All normal people must work and most of them know and require fairness for women and men in labour; all normal people must use language but few of them are aware of fairness for men and women in language And literary works, while being a source of education and inspiration for the people, are also not exempted from this shortcoming In old societies, sexism was expressed not only in daily conversations but also through literary works in those periods Thus, this study is conducted in order to investigate the use of sexist language in English and Vietnamese literature, as well as contribute to reducing sexism in language and literary works 1.2 Aims and objectives: a Aim of the study: This study aims to investigate linguistic factors indicating sexism in various English and Vietnamese literary works, contribute in studying and elucidating the role of language in gender equality, and based on the results, provide Vietnamese learners of English language and Vietnamese writer with suggestions to reduce and optimally, minimize the existence of sexism in their language and mindset b Objective of the study: To achieve the aforementioned aim, the study sought to achieve the following objectives - To find out the characteristics of sexism in some English and Vietnamese literary works - To compare and contrast sexism on certain fields in English and Vietnamese languages - To draw implications of the thesis for English learners and writers in Vietnamese of writing without showing sexism 1.3 Scope of the study: In this study, the author would give spotlight on investigating gender-biased language on English and Vietnamese literary works ranged from medieval to contemporary Gender-biased language in literature can be examined through specific instances chosen from the literary materials The materials selected for the study are classicals covering all historical periods in both English and Vietnamese literature For Medieval periods, the study chose Shakespeare Complete Works, Iliad, The Canterbury Tales, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Truyện Kiều, Văn xuôi tự Việt Nam trung đại, Tục ngữ ca dao dân ca Việt Nam, Cung oán ngâm khúc For modern periods, Ernest Hemingway‘s collections, Huckleberry Finn, The winds in the willow, The giver, Nam Cao truyện ngắn tuyển chọn, Tuyển tập Vũ Trọng Phụng, Tuyển tập truyện ngắn Nguyễn Minh Châu were selected 1.4 Research questions: In order to achieve the objectives, the following research questions are raised for exploration: What are the characteristics of sexism in English and Vietnamese literary works? What are the similarities and differences between cultural factors of sexism in English and Vietnamese literary works? How to clarify the hidden message(s) conveyed via the sexism at word and phrase levels in these books? 1.5 Research orientation: Research approaches: The main aim of the study is to identify sexism characteristics in English and Vietnamese literary works and provide Vietnamese writers and learners of English with suggestions to avoid the use of sexist language in their works Therefore, to achieve the stated aims, the study utilize s quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze and compare the main features The descriptive and comparative analysis methods are also used to compile the sexism characteristics in details and clarify the similarity and differences from a contrastive analysis perspective Data sources from citation in literary works as digital sources which contain sexism expressions There are 10 English works and 09 Vietnamese works analyzed in the study, all in PDF formats These are the primary source of data, while the secondary source are other books, theses and journal collected from the internet providing information about sexism Data analysis techniques: the study researches and selects facts and examples from books, M.A thesis before carefully analyzing and identifying the similarities and differences between sexism expression in Vietnamese and English literature 1.6 Research methods: Describing and analyzing the characteristics of linguistic sexism in English and Vietnamese literature, exploring the similarities and differences between English and Vietnamese In order to accomplish the aforementioned achievement, some methods are used as follow:  The main methods emplyed in this study are descriptive and comparative analysis methods with quantitative and qualitative approach The qualitative method is used to describe and interpret the main features of sexism in English and Vietnamese from a cross - cultural perspective, while the quantitative method is used to describe characteristics of sexist language in English and Vietnamese literature Comparative analysis and descriptive methods are used to analyze the gathered information and identify the similarities and differences of sexism in English and Vietnamese literary  For achieving the aims and objectives of the study with optimal result, selected materials is the main technique to be used In addition, some And that are little girls made of What are young men made of? What are young men made of? Sighs and leers, and crocodile tears, And that are young men made of What are young women made of? What are young women made of? Ribbons and laces, and sweet pretty faces, And that are young women made of.‖ b) Stereotyping against men in English Example about stereotyping against men3 in English AP‘s article about the child murder in when the culprit in the 1980-1981 child 1980-81 murder in Atlanta (USA) had not been identified, the press at that time called the killer by The Man Furthermore, in the case of both people, a man and a woman, are suspects in a certain case, the male suspect is usually considered the culprit After a murder had occurred in 1984 in Dayton, USA, when two suspects were arrested, Debra Brown (female) and Alton Coleman (male), the police discovered Debra Brown's fingerprints on the victim's car and assumed it was the proof of Alton Coleman's crime Even after Debra was convicted, AP still described her as ―someone who was framed the accomplice of the convicted killer Alton Coleman‖ 62 Appendix Sexism against women in Vietnamese literary works Sexism against women in Vietnamese literary works a) Women considered goods or possession in Vietnamese literature Material Quotation [Tuyển tập Vũ Trọng Phụng,203] ―Geez! Why are you so dumb? Then I can just buy her as a maid okay?‖/ ―Ô hay! Sao mày dở thế? Thì tao mua bé làm hầu gì?‖ Tục ngữ, ca dao dân ca Việt Nam Thấy anh em muốn theo, Em sợ anh nghèo, anh bán em đi! (I fear that since you are poor, you may sell me) Lấy anh em biết ăn gì? Lộc sắn chát, lộc sung già Lấy anh khơng cửa, khơng nhà, Không cha, không mẹ, biết cậy ai! Truyện Kiều Có nhà viên ngoại họ Vương Gia tư thường thường bậc trung Một trai thứ rốt lòng, Vương quan chữ, nối dòng nho gia Đầu lòng hai ả tố nga Thúy Kiều chị em Thúy Vân.[3] Văn xuôi tự Việt Nam trung đại, ― Đoạn nàng tắm gội chay sạch, Truyện Người gái Nam Xương bến Hoàng Giang ngửa mặt lên trời mà than rằng: Kẻ bạc mệnh duyên phận hẩm hiu, chồng rẫy bỏ, điều đâu bay buộc, tiếng chịu 63 nhơ nhuốc, thần sơng có linh xin ngài chứng giám.Thiếp đoan trang giữ tiết, trinh bạch gìn lịng, vào nước xin làm ngọc Mỵ Nương, xuống đất xin làm cỏ Ngu Mỹ Nhược lòng chim cá, lừa chồng dối con, xin làm mồi cho tôm cá, xin làm cơm cho diều quạ, chịu khắp người phỉ nhổ…Nói xong, nàng gieo xuống sơng mà chết.‖ [7,280] b) Women were associated with sex – men were associated with talent Material Quotation Tục ngữ, ca dao dân ca Việt Nam Vì tình em phải tới nơi Trăm năm duyên phải ngày mà nên Làm trai chí cho bền Đừng lo vợ muộn, đừng phiền muộn Văn xuôi tự Việt Nam trung đại, ―Sứ mệnh cần lao, tang bồng khí khái, phận trượng phu Thiếp không biết, không dám can thiệp Còn bèo bọt chút thân, phấn hoa phận gái, thiếp thật không đáng kể‖ [7,346] Văn xuôi tự Việt Nam trung đại, ――Nay việc viên thành, xin đem hầu hạ khăn lược, chàng làm quan xa, giúp thiếu kẻ, thiếp xin đảm đương công việc tảo tần‖ [7,263] Văn xuôi tự Việt Nam trung đại, ―Thiếp vốn nhà nghèo, vào tía Sum họp chưa thỏa tình chăn gối, chia phơi động việc binh đao‖ [7,279] 64 c) Women are associated with negative while men are associated with positive Tuyển tập Nguyễn Minh Châu ‗Đám đàn bà hàng chài thuyền chúng tơi cần phải có người đàn ơng để chèo chống phong ba, để làm ăn nuôi nấng đặng nhà chục đứa Ông trời sinh người đàn bà để đẻ con, nuôi khôn lớn cho lên phải gánh lấy khổ Đàn bà thuyền phải sống cho sống cho đất được‘‘ [2,345] Truyện Kiều [3] ―Rằng : Tôi chút phận đàn bà Tuyển tập Nguyễn Minh Châu [2] Ghen tng người ta bình thường‖ [3] “Chính Huệ trở thành người đàn bà nơng dân với tính ki cóp, chắt bóp, tham cơng tiếc việc, tham chí đơi cịn điều nữa” [2,386] Văn xi tự Việt Nam trung đại “Nay đường sá xa xăm, ta không muốn đem đàn bà gái theo‖ [7,242] ―Nếu e có vợ, khơng khỏi vui bề chăn gối mà nhãng việc đèn sách‖ [7,221] d) The demand/high respect for virginity/chastity Truyện Kiều ―Phải điều ăn xổi Tiết trăm năm, nỡ bỏ ngày‖ [3] Văn xuôi tự Việt Nam trung đại ―Thiếp đoan trang giữ tiết, trinh bạch gìn lịng, vào nước xin làm ngọc Mỵ 65 Nương, xuống đất xin làm cỏ Ngu Mỹ‖ [7,280], Văn xuôi tự Việt Nam trung đại “Tiền thân chẳng biết đâu, người ngồi biết được, hóa thân băng ngọc đêm nhơ nhuốc hay sao?” [7,189] Truyện Kiều Đã cho vào bậc bố kinh Đạo tòng phu lấy chữ trinh làm đầu Ra tuồng bậc dâu Thì người cầu làm chi [3] Văn xuôi tự Việt Nam trung đại “Chính chuyên trọn tiết đạo người đàn bà, đâu cịn nghĩ đến nữa‖ [7,504] Truyện Kiều Xưa đạo đàn bà Chữ trinh có ba bảy đường: Có biến thường Có quyền, phải đường chấp kinh Như nàng lấy hiếu làm trinh [3] Or Chữ trinh chút Chẳng cầm cho vững, lại dày cho tan [3]! Tục ngữ, ca dao dân ca Việt Nam Chữ trinh đáng giá nghìn vàng Từ anh chồng cũ đến chàng năm Còn yêu vụng dấu thầm Họp chợ bụng hàng trăm người [8] 66 Appendix Sexism against men in Vietnamese literary works Sexism against men in Vietnamese literary works a) Words refer to crimes and social evils Nam Cao, Nửa đêm ―Bởi chánh hội làng Vũ Đại thằng ăn cướp, cướp của, cướp người chưa thỏa chí, muốn cho làm chánh hội, làm xi làm ngược việc cai trị chín thơn đơng đúc làng ba ngàn suất đinh Phúc cho bọn em, cai trị khơng khác ơng kỳ mục cai trị họ Nghĩa đục kht đến thơi; kể khơng cịn cách đục kht Ăn cướp tựa ăn cướp Cái lão chánh hội ăn cướp cố nhiên tìm cách bưng bít án giết vợ kia, thủ phạm thằng ăn cướp‖ (robber) ―Mặc dù có người thóc mách ác miệng bảo: kẻ giết người, cha tù, mẹ lấy chồng‖ (murderer) ―Anh đừng giận; dám ế thơi chẳng đâm đầu vào lấy thằng ăn cướp, giết người ‖ (robber, murderer) ―Tiếng vợ nhiên the thé: - Quân ăn cướp! Quân giết người ! Mày muốn rũ tù trêu vào bà!‖ (5, Nửa đêm) (robber, murderer) ―Nhưng thói đời, tre già măng mọc, có hết thằng du cơn?‖ (5, 67 Chí Phèo) ―Thư nắm lấy cánh tay kéo đội xếp kéo thằng móc túi‖ (5, Quên điều độ) Nam Cao, Truyện người hàng xóm ―Đời nản, bố thằng kẻ cướp” (robber) ―Những tay anh chị luyện gan họ theo cách ấy: không ngồi nhà mà thành du cơn” (5, Truyện người hàng xóm) b) Negative words used to insult men Nam Cao, Chí Phèo ―Người bà phốp pháp, má bà hây hây, mà ơng lý hay đau lưng lắm; người có bệnh đau lưng hay sợ vợ mà chúa đời khỏe ghen‖ Nam Cao, Trăng sáng ―Vợ Ðiền chả Ðiền môn lo liệu việc nhà? Vả Ðiền kẻ ăn nhờ Vợ Ðiền phải lo cho chồng từ năm xu húi đầu Thị phải gánh lấy tất ách gia đình, nên thị có quyền gia đình tý Kẻo thị lại bảo: có hỏng gì, Ðiền bỏ tiền thay, nên điền không xót ruột ― Nam Cao, Quái dị, 123, 124 ―Cụ thách Chúng Làm thằng đàn ơng, mà sợ, khơng bõ vợ cười vào mặt cho Chẳng nói giấu cụ ta đây, cụ nhiều tiền nên sợ 68 chết, người làng chúng cháu nghèo khổ nên chẳng coi chết mùi gì.‖ ―Vợ mày cịn trẻ hay mà mày tiếc đời đến thế? Cũng đòi làm giai! Tao à? Xin cho quỷ sứ! Kẻ cướp cịn cho xồng! ‖ c) Negative stereotypes against men in Vietnamese Nam Cao, Từ ngày mẹ chết ―Ngừng lát, bu lại thở dài mà bảo: - Mẹ mà chết ăn mày mất! Đàn ông chả người biết thương Cha chết ăn cơm với cá, mẹ chết liếm dọc đàng Mẹ mà chết ơi! ‖ Nam Cao, Điếu văn ―Còn anh, anh thằng hèn Anh còng còng ông lão tám mươi Cái cổ anh thụt vào hai vai rúm ró xo Đầu anh ngoẹo bên để cằm nhọn hếch lên phía bên Cả thân hình ọp ẹp anh khơng đáng đồng xu Người ta có cảm tưởng ni anh làm phúc thơi Anh chết đi, chẳng thiếu đứa nhanh nhẹn, cứng cáp vạn anh Anh đồ ăn hại….‖ Nam Cao, Đời thừa ―Và lại hèn thằng trai không nuôi vợ, cịn mong làm nên trị nữa?‖ Nam Cao, Cười ―Thị ốn chồng Thị muốn nói cho chồng biết chồng mà thị khổ 69 Sự chết anh chồng chứ! Anh ngẫm nghĩ Anh cực, anh cực Giời bắt anh ốm đau đến thành phế nhân ăn hại vợ, tự anh lấy làm cực Còn đợi phải nói Ấy mà thị nỡ lịng nói trắng Có phải thị sỉ nhục anh khơng? Thật thị tàn nhẫn Mắt anh đỏ miếng tiết.‖ Nam Cao, Sống mòn ―Thứ hy vọng ngày trường, nên cố chịu thiệt mà dạy cho Oanh Cho mắc mưu kẻ đàn bà, ngoan ngoãn người ta xoa đầu đứa trẻ con, Thứ bực Y thấy giận Oanh.‖ Nam Cao, Lòng tự ―Cái lịng tự giống đàn ơng xưa khinh thường đàn bà mà lại bị người đàn bà chê bai cách gián tiếp ngu dốt lúc bị thương nặng biến thành bất bình sơi lịng tơi.‖ 70 Appendix Proposals for avoiding sexism in English literature SIGNS OF SEXISM SOLUTIONS Pronouns: 1.1 Addressing the audience: If he studies hard, a student can If you study hard, you can make the make the honor roll honor roll 1.2 Removal of pronouns: Each nurse determines the best way she Each nurse determines the best way to can treat a patient treat a patient 1.3 Replacing pronouns with articles: A careful secretary consults her A careful secretary consults a dictionary often dictionary often 1.4 Using the plural form of nouns and pronouns Teach children to walk by Teach the child to walk by himself themselves He is expanding his operation They are expanding their operation Everyone needs his own space All people need their own space 1.5 Alternating between male and female pronouns The baby tries to put everything he finds The baby tries to put everything she in his mouth finds in her mouth 1.6 Using both types of pronouns and change their order A worker with minor children should A worker with minor children should make sure his will is up to date make sure her or his will is up to date 1.7 Using specific and non gender-locked pronouns The average man on the street speaks The average voter speaks out on 71 his mind on the issue political issues 1.8 Replacing pronouns with nouns for occupations or other ways of describing occupations He gave a test on Monday The professor gave a test on Monday 1.9 Repeating the nouns or using synonyms The professor who gets published The professor who gets published frequently will have a better chance frequently will have a better chance when he goes before the tenure board when faculty tenure is granted Titles: 2.1 Replacing stereotypes towards men Business person/ people, people in Businessman/ man business, executive, merchant, industrialist, entrepreneur, manager Cameraman Camera operator, photographer Chairperson, chair, moderator, group Chairman leader, department head, presiding officer Members of Congress, Congressmen Representatives, congressmen and congresswomen Craftsman Craftsperson, artisan Delivery driver/clerk, porter, Deliveryman/boy deliverer, courier, messenger Draftsman Drafter Fireman Fire fighter 72 Foreman Supervisor Guys Men, people Headmaster Principal Kingpin Key person, leader Lumberman Woodchopper, tree/lumber cutter Male nurse Nurse Manhole/cover Sewer hole, utility access/cover Man-hours Labor, staff/work hours, time Manufactured, handbuilt, handmade, Manmade synthetic, simulated, machine-made Night watchman Night guard, night watch Policeman Police officer, detective Pressman Press operator Repairer (tốt nên cụ thể hoá: Repairman, handyman plumber, electrician, carpenter, steam fitter‟s apprentice) representative(s), sales force, Salesman/ men Salespeople, salesperson(s), sales agent(s), sales associate(s), sales Representative, spokesperson, Spokesman advocate, proponent Sports/outdoor enthusiast (tốt nên cụ thể hoá: hunter, fisher, Sportsman canoer) Statesman Political leader, public servant, 73 diplomat Statesmanship Diplomacy Steward/ stewardess Flight attendant Weatherman Weather reporter, meteorologist Workmen Workers 2.2 Remove stereotypes towards women Authoress Author Aviatrix Pilot, aviator Professor, engineer, mathematician, Career girl/woman administrative assistant Coed Student Woman, secretary, assistant, aide (tốt Gal, Girl, Girl Friday dùng tên đầy đủ) Homemaker, consumer, customer, Housewife, lady of the house shopper, parent Lady/ female doctor, lawyer Doctor, lawyer Little lady, better half Spouse, partner Maid, cleaning lady Houseworker, housekeeper,custodian Poetess Poet Sculptress Sculptor Usherette Usher Waitress Wait person, waiter 74 Working wife/mother Worker 2.3 Remove adjectives and ways of speech implying stereotypes Act like a lady and think like a man Act and think sensitively and clearly Act like a gentleman/ man Be polite, brave, keep your chin up Dear Madam or Sir, Dear Personnel Dear sir Officer/Director, Dear Executive/ Manager (Tốt hơn: dùng tên) Fatherland Homeland, native land Pioneers, colonists, patriots, Founding fathers Informal agreement, your word, oral Gentlemen‟s agreement contract, handshake Ladylike, girlish, sissy, effeminate Fearful, weak, illogical, inactive Lady luck Luck Lay, common, ordinary, informal, Layman, laymman‟s terms nontechnical Maiden name Birth name Maiden voyage First/premiere voyage Male chauvinist Chauvinist Male ego Ego Man-sized Husky, sizable, big, large, voracious Player-to-player, person-to-person, Man-to-man defense/talk face-to-face, one-to-one Courageous, strong, vigorous, Manly/tomboy adventurous, spirited, direct, 75 competitive, physical, mechanical, logical, rude, active, messy, self confident Mother doing dishes, father reading Men and women doing dishes, the paper women and men reading the paper Mother Nature, Father Time Nature, time Mothering, fathering Parenting, child-rearing Motherly Protective, supportive, kind Unwed mother Mother Women did well for a woman/ as Woman did well, woman performed well as a man completely Woman‟s/ man‟s work Be more specific Women‟s page Lifestyle, living section Approved by SUPERVISOR Dr Le Thi Minh Thao Date:…………………… 76 ... used in English and Vietnamese literary works This paper aims to investigate linguistic factors indicating sexism in various English and Vietnamese literary works, contribute in studying and elucidating... reducing sexism in language and literary works 1.2 Aims and objectives: a Aim of the study: This study aims to investigate linguistic factors indicating sexism in various English and Vietnamese literary. .. entitled "A contrastive analysis of sexist language in English and Vietnamese literary works" submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master in English Language Except