Question

In paragraphs 3 and 4, how does Tannen explain women's tenden- cies to use "covert" communication strategies? Write down at least two reasons that the author provides .

Answer 1

Tannen explains women's tendencies to use "covert" communication strategies in paragraphs 3 and 4 by providing two reasons:

1. One reason is that women often feel that they lack power in their interactions with men, so they try to use language to get what they want. Women may feel that they are not taken seriously or that their ideas are dismissed, so they use language to convey their intentions more subtly. Tannen argues that this is a way for women to exert some control in their interactions with men, even when they are not in positions of authority.
2. Another reason that Tannen provides is that women often have different goals than men when it comes to communication. Tannen argues that men often view communication as a way to establish dominance or to achieve a specific goal, while women view communication as a way to build and maintain relationships. Women may use more indirect language or nonverbal cues in order to convey their emotions or to build connections with others. This difference in communication goals can lead to misunderstandings and frustration between men and women.