Evidence shows that there are differences in the ways in which men and women speak. It has also been well documented that females are generally ahead of males in language acquisition and are less often diagnosed as speech pathologic. A review of the research gives some indication of the reasons for the development of sex differences in spoken language. The fact that girls mature earlier than boys has direct implications for language acquisition. Auditory sensitivity and oral behavior in infancy is not the same for boys and girls. In addition to the biological factors, developmental, psychological and sociological influences play their role. Parent-child interactions from infancy onward point to differential treatment of boys and girls. In early childhood both parents and teachers may encourage male or female patterns of communication in children. In later childhood and adolescence, motivations for speech style vary according to sex. Peer influences also affect language use. The developing male and female roles with regard to power and "micropolitics" may exert the major influence on developing sex differences in spoken language. These findings raise a further question: Will spoken language differences disappear as equality between the sexes is reached? (Author/AMH)