Gossip among women in Lebanon. (c2014)

Abstract

Language in all its elements creates social bonds among people to nurture and nourish our minds and souls. Gossip is regularly identified as a negative element of speech, and people who gossip are considered empty headed and harmful. This mixed method study explores the effect of gossip on female relationships. It gives a clear meaning of gossip, its various functions, and sheds light on its real purpose and how to use it toward our own and society’s benefits. It attempts to find out whether gossip is harmful or not in women’s relationships. Three instruments were used to conduct this study: discourse completion tests, observations, and structured questionnaires. Results show that gossip may be viewed as a harmless element in women’s relationships and helps them bond together. Further research is suggested on exploring the different types of gossip in different societies and backgrounds to better understand group dynamics and the different effects of gossip on these various societies.