Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language

Montell argues that language is culturally significant, not only in terms of self-expression but also as a reflection of social power structures. The author agrees with linguist Lal Zimman that language is one important way in which people can either be celebrated or denigrated. Linguistics is the study of language, and since the 1970s sociolinguists have studied the relationship between language and social behavior, including power dynamics, social bonding, hierarchy, and more. Montell asserts that the most “contentious” of these topics is gender.

Montell believes that the academic discourse on language and gender is worthy of attention and of entering the mainstream. She laments that language rules are still used by some as a way to disrespect others, and that there are often media stories that are critical of women’s linguistic habits, from slang to vocal fry or even making apologies.

Montell offers a brief history of the English language, beginning with the Angles, Saxons and Jutes, English-speakers who moved to Britain in the 5th century AD. Over the centuries, their language combined with some of the indigenous Celtic language, and was also influenced by the Germanic language of the invading Vikings, to become “Old English.