Men "doing" and women "being"? : an analysis of concert reviews in Billboard magazine based on systemic functional linguistics

Abstract

This paper uses the framework offered by Systemic Functional Grammar to investigate how Billboard represents and creates the categories of "man" and "woman". Through a process and participant analysis, seen in light of research from the fields of Media Studies and American History, it explores to what extent Billboard can be said to liberate or reinforce stereotypical ideas of gender. The material suggests that certain cultural patterns that relate to ideas of gender are upheld. Stereotypical and historical ideas seem to influence choice of process types as well as participant roles. These ideas are also evident in descriptions of the artists and in the fact that female artists to a larger extent are evaluated based on looks, actions and abilities.