Are female and male politicians portrayed differently by the media? What role does language play in shaping these differences?In 2021, 16 years of “female chancellorship” came to an end. Angela Merkel’s time in office demonstrated how internalized notions and expectations of femininity determine the media coverage of female politicians: she began her term as “Kohl’s girl” in 2005 and ended it in 2021 as “Mutti.”
Join us in Denken auf Deutsch to investigate the intersections of the pursuit of political power, media attention and linguistic stereotypes. We will consider the differences between the media portrayal of female and male politicians and reflect on the role language plays in shaping these differences. We will learn more about the origins of feminine stereotypes, their explicit and implicit linguistic manifestations, and the role of media in maintaining these stereotypes. Sara-Marie Weinkopf will guide the discussion and provide the opportunity to question your own preconceptions and reflect on how they are shaped by specific words and labels.
All texts and discussions are in German; placement B2+ and native speakers are welcome; email germancourses-boston@goethe.de to register online.Sara-Marie Weinkopf is a student at the University of Mannheim and recipient of the Goethe-Institut Boston 2023 Winter Language Program Internship. Participation $15 cash
