INTERPRETATION OF GENDER AS A SOCIO-CULTURAL CONSTRUCT AND ITS MANIFESTATION IN SOCIOLINGUISTIC COMPETENCE

This article analyses the theoretical interpretation of the concept of gender in contemporary humanities and its social and linguistic dimensions. Unlike biological sex, gender is presented as a socio-cultural construct, understood as a system of norms, stereotypes, and roles established by society. The study examines the mechanisms through which gender develops during socialisation, its intrinsic connection with sociolinguistic competence, and its influence on verbal behaviour across various social contexts. Furthermore, the paper explores the components of the gender concept as proposed by Pushkareva, Goffman’s theory of ritual interaction, and the empirical research of Mulac and colleagues, illustrating the manifestation of gender in communicative practices. The article argues that gender differences are not biologically determined but socially and culturally conditioned. Consequently, it concludes that a comprehensive study of gender, integrating social, cultural, psychological, and linguistic factors, is essential for a thorough scientific understanding of this phenomenon.