The study of language and gender has developed in response to the emergence of feminism. Since there is no single variety of feminism, feminist theorists disagree on various issues.

It is unacceptable to view any person as belonging to only one group. Interactions between gender, socio-economic status, race, and other factors create a complex matrix for evaluation. In the same way, it is improper to view women as a homogenous group. Recent research on women of color, lesbians, and gay men has shown that it is inadequate to rely on gender as the only explanation for linguistic behaviour.