Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language

Amanda Montell’s Wordslut serves as both an impressively comprehensive overview of the intersections between sociolinguistics and feminist theory in the English language, as well as a helpful introductory point for anyone who is looking to learn more about the topics discussed. By taking a closer look at “the discoveries of contemporary feminist linguistics,” as Montell explains, “we can learn how the language we use every day operates on a structural and cultural level” (13). She also reveals that Wordslut was written in order to help women feel empowered by the words they use, and to “arm us all with the knowledge we need to reclaim a language that for so long has been used against us” (18). This book takes on a host of topics regarding language-related injustice imposed by patriarchal norms, such as gendered insults, vocal fry disdain, perceptions of political speeches, societal double standards, politeness, mental illness, and queer phonetics. Most likely influenced by the subject matter itself, Montell’s writing throughout her work is colloquial, humorous, and altogether accessible to anyone not yet privy to the theoretical framework she makes use of. Notwithstanding the casual and sometimes-anecdotal style of writing employed, Wordslut does, at times, refer to thought-provoking sociolinguistic research and insightful historical or etymological data to make its claims, which ultimately provides for an engaging, approachable read—though one that tends to lack a degree of nuance in some areas.Don’t get me wrong, I think it is fantastic that Wordslut makes digestible important discussions typically confined to academic settings—it is vital that these issues reach more ears. But when a piece of writing seeks to introduce a new set of ideas to people—especially when greatly relying on personal cultural observations for evidence—it is important to use sharp, precise language and to avoid oversimplifying concepts. Wordslut struggles with this at times, I feel. To give a sense of the anticipated novelty of some of these ideas, Montell ostensibly introduces the reader to the nature-versus-nurture debate, differences between the terms gender and sex, and the process of exchanging pronouns when meeting someone new. Moreover, it seems that when the linguistic practices of non-heteropatriarchal cultures are considered, the linguistic feature being discussed is quickly and neatly summed up and explained away within a paragraph or two, only to serve as a brief foil to a normative linguistic practice under the patriarchy.In other places, Montell’s imprecise language just seems dangerous. For example, when discussing a feature of AAVE called “signifyin’,” she mentions how “this ingenious technique has caught on beyond Black communities” (39). It did not catch on; it was appropriated and should be written about as such. Similarly, bold, unsupported claims like, “no one ever posed a semantic distinction between sex and gender until the 1960s, when folks began to realize that our bodies and social behaviors might not be intrinsically linked” (60), seem somewhat reckless, when considering that these uses of “no one” and “folks” only apply to those situated within the framework of institutionalized Western knowledge. She also asserts that in our society, “we’ve come far enough that queer people don’t have to use secret codes anymore to survive” (251), which downplays the significance of violence against queer people, in my opinion. In sections where she relies more on interviews that she conducted with some of the most renowned scholars of feminist sociolinguistics—such as Deborah Cameron, Jennifer Coates, Robin Lakoff, and Deborah Tannen—Montell is a lot more convincing. I was a little disappointed, though, that Tannen’s research on cooperative overlapping—interrupting someone in a conversation—among East Coast Jewish communities was not included in Montell’s discussion of collaboration within women’s speech, despite Tannen’s being mentioned here.Ultimately, I do think that Wordslut advances the causes of language-related social justice if it is acknowledged for what it is: a fun starting point that may help draw people into more nuanced discussions about gender and language. The book seems to encounter tension in its propensity to generalize about the language ideologies of large groups of people (i.e., women or women living under patriarchal cultures), yet Montell still calls upon the individual to effect change within broader, dominant cultural structures. As I was reading Wordslut, there were many points at which I thought a different perspective might prove invaluable—for example, medical anthropology when talking about the human body and genitals. I will not go through a list of those perspectives, but I do want to end this review by recommending one particular lens which might have tied together some loose ends in Wordslut: Feminist-vegetarian critical theory—also called vegetarian ecofeminism—a big part of the thesis I am currently working on (The Sexual Politics of Meat by Carol J. Adams is a good place to start). Montell recognizes how the English language has been used “to systematically reduce women to edible, nonhuman, and sexual entities…” (30), but this argument is not taken much further. Feminist-vegetarian perspectives draw deep parallels between the oppression of women and animals in patriarchal societies. Overall, Wordslut is an entertaining and easy read which can serve as an informative introduction to issues regarding language and gender.

In this book Amanda Montell gives us a tour through women's use curse words along with a good many other ways women use language. She uses a lot of profanity. She starts off with a look at sociolinguistics. The first chapter focus on words that insult someone's gender, but my even be used by a woman aiming them at herself. She moves on in the next chapter to analyzing the word woman. The following chapter looks at how women talk to each other when men are not around. The fourth chapter covers how women change English over time, but are dissed about using it currently. The fifth is telling how to respond to people that are criticizing your grammar. Following this is a discussion on how to attack patriarchy with words. (I would interact with cat callers (part of the title) would confront a cat caller under extreme caution or not at all). Next she gets on with the "F" word chapter. Chapter 8 tells of the troubles about being a woman in public. Chapter 9 discusses sounding gay. The second to less chapter are about words or words phrases for the genitals. The final chapter looks at the future.The following are comments based on my notes. Numbers in brackets [] are where quoted material is located. An "@" symbol indicates where there is no direct quote.[14] "Like, is it sexual harassment for a male lawyer to call his female colleague sweetie in the courtroom?" It is unprofessional at the very least. It is also highly disrespectful; it is in the same league as someone calling a grown man a boy. But, is he asking for favors to stop? So, it might not rise to an act of sexual harassment, although it is a verbal sexual act. We should be talking about gender here.[39] ". . . queer used to be exclusively a homophobic insult but has undergone a pretty impressive reappropriation by academics and the LGBTQ+ community. Queer is still considered problematic by some . . ." Yeah, me. I refused be label "queer." I do tolerated others in the community using it though. For those outside the community even academics, I find it problematic.[72] "These props don’t have to be what defines our gender anymore. 'Instead,' he [Lal Zimmen] says, 'it’s just this very individualized, emotional, visceral feeling of who do I think I am.'" Definitely agree with this statement.[73] "I happen not to enjoy when people call me ma’am,* which makes me feel drab and old" First for a transgender female being called "ma'am" is a very affirmation of their gender, especially for the first couple of years of transitioning (based on my personal experience and talking with other transgender woman. After those first two years it became less necessary. But, just post transition I would see being called "ma'am" as that's nice, but as I need no outside affirmation any longer, it's nice, but affirming it is not.[73] "However, scholars agree that guys is just another masculine generic in cozier clothing." I agree. For awhile I was correcting others as to exactly this.[107] ". . . when women build in-group connections through conversation, their statements have to be 100 percent truthful. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a secret worth sharing, and thus, it wouldn’t accomplish its goal." Oh come on women don't lie to each other, not that men don't lie to other men. They will lie through their teeth to avoid being seen as lower in social status as their interlocuter(s).[155] "As transgender and nonbinary identities become more and more visible, so does the discussion of “preferred pronouns . . .”* The footnote explains my issues with preferred pronouns (same with name) well. Although, I came to this view independently.[168] "I hope to see you there [language usage in 1000 years]. I hear it’ll be quite the party." Language will be language. In a 1000 years we may not be able to communicate with the language there (or with some effort, and possibly with scholars less effort will be need). Just think how language ahs changed in the last 1000 years.My main complaint - there is just too much profanity. "What would you expect in a book titled Wordslut," Stephie"

Love this book! Great for feminists and language nerds alike! Really well written and engaging whilst full of interesting facts about language and gender, language change etc.

Amazing!

I love this book: how it delves into the origins and corruption of language. It is easy to read and offers insight into the importance and power of language. It follows on from Nor Hall's The Moon and the Virgin.

Amanda has written another good book. I wish it was longer and had more examples but it shows the research and care of the topic. I’m curious to see more on this topic.

A non fiction that I found so interesting and fun to read!