Abstract
This research investigates the use of gender in language in food vlogs, where it centers on adjective useand strategies of engagement using a sociolinguistic framework. With Hyland's Metadiscourse Model andTannen's Report vs. Rapport Talk, the research examines ten food vlogs (five by male and five by femaleuploaders). Findings identify male uploaders as using more descriptive adjectives and utilizing strongerinteractive metadiscourse markers that stress information delivery ("report talk"). Compared to femalevloggers, male vloggers employ more emotional adjectives and prefer interactional markers to promoteaudience affiliation ("rapport talk"). Quantitative results indicate that male vloggers lead the use of transitionsand engagement markers, whereas females exhibit higher usage of hedges and self-mentions in relationalstorytelling. The differences imply that gendered styles of communication have an impact on digital contentcreation. The research has implications for sociolinguistic studies and digital media research, with anunderstanding of the limitations of the sample size and cultural diversity. Future studies ought to extend tocross-cultural settings and other linguistic features like metaphors and narrative structures.