Gender-Based Linguistic Variations: the Comparative Study of Raya and Agame Tigrigna Speakers in Southern and South - Eastern Tigray

Abstract

This study aims at investigating the gender based -linguistic variations between male and female Tigrigna speakers of Raya and Agame. In order to achieve the objectives, the researcher used both open-ended and close-ended questions for the subjects. The questionnaire focuses on the participants age and gender. Moreover, the research is based on a sample population of 120 informants of different sexes and ages (between 15 -80) years old and different levels of education. In both study areas 60 respondents from Raya and 60 from Agame respectively have been given the questionnaire. Moreover, recording is one of the methods of data collection forgetting of accurate data, especially among old people who were unable to write their answers for the questions. The findings of this research work show that there is a wide difference between males and females in constructing and using language. The findings also indicate the socio-cultural factors behind using language differently.