Sex differences in linguistic ability: a case for
Journal Article
2012-01-30
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Southern African Journal of Applied Language Studies
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Routledge Taylor and Francis Group
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University of Cape Town
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Faculty
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Abstract
Research indicates that sex’ determines the extent to which linguistic
performance affects achievement. In a study undertaken by Liski and Puntancn (1983) aimed at determining the extent to which oral performance in spoken English is affected by variables which have been found to be related to achicvcmcnt, sex proved to be one of the most important variables in
explaining differences in language skills. comparison between the girls’ and the boys’ distribution of marks revealed that the girls in their study were better
than boys at matriculation level. A similar study was undertaken by the writer, concerning oral proficiency in Xhosa as a second language in schools under the Cape Education Department. A total of 159 pupils was tested, spread over three areas; the Western Cape, Port Elizabeth-Uitenhage and Border. Sex was one of the variables selected. Test results show some interesting findings in a situation where Xhosa is learnt. There was a statistically significant difference between the performance of females and males in important sections of the communicative test.
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Reference:
Gxilishe, Sandile (1993). Sex differences in linguistic ability: a case for Xhosa, Southern African Journal of Applied Language Studies, 2: 2, 11-19, DOI: 10.1080/10189203.1993.9724625.