Muted group theory:

This theory describes about the 'muted group', women in society. This is due to the male-dominant society as they control the language. They have also been trained informally at home. Institutions taught them to be silent. Traditions and values have also to be considered on the definition. Gender is rooted into society as it is produced by culture.

To elaborate, as men are the dominant gender in society, they possess power over it. they set the rules on what should be the 'correct' way. Communication and hence, language are theirs to control. They will devalue minority cultures, in this case women. These minority groups have to speak according to the language set by the dominant culture. The main factor is how differently man and women communicate. women are more flexible with those that are close with them in communication than men, but are more doubtful as men form the majority of society.(1,2)

In response to this, the minority groups will form their own language. They do this in a number of possible ways, these rely on a nonverbal approach in order to fully express themselves without restraint from the dominant culture. The main reason for this to occur is to gain more power for themselves.(1)In what is viewed to be an achievement is the fact that the term 'sexual harassment' applies for both genders.(2) Another possible achievement has been done in Sweden, with the term 'hen', a general gender-neutral term to replace the equivalent terms for 'he' and 'she' to define a person.(4)

References:

1.Chand, D. (2003), Orbe, M. (1998)(based on.) Co-cultural Theory. Accessed 15/4/2012 from http://my.ilstu.edu/~jrbaldw/372/Co-Cultural.htm

2.Kramare, C.(24/3/2010) Muted Group Theory. Accessed 15/4/2012 from http://edutech.tlt.winona.edu/wikis/CMST282/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=muted_group_theory

3.Community team(April 12 2012) Should we use gender-neutral pronouns instead of 'he' and 'she'? Accessed 15/4/2012 from http://www.cbc.ca/news/yourcommunity/2012/04/should-we-use-gender-neutral-pronouns-instead-of-he-and-she.html