ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the relationship between language use and hegemonic masculinity, a theory that sees masculinity as a kind of pyramid with different kinds of men at different levels. The chapter considers how idealised hegemonic men are represented in fictional contexts, such as James Bond novels and John Wayne films, and looks at examples of how powerful men use language in real contexts by examining the language of political leaders. Such men can display dominance over others through the use of silence, nonverbal language (e.g., strong handshakes, gaze, invading space) or by breaking linguistic norms and conventions. The chapter then considers the ways that hegemonic masculinity is enshrined both in language ideologies or beliefs about language that are represented as common-sense and how language systems themselves are structured in order to enable male power. Finally, the authors consider criticisms of the concept of hegemonic masculinity, the difficulties in defining it, its changing nature and alternative understandings, such as a masculine bloc.
