Modern Notions of Accent-ism: Findings, Conceptualizations, and Implications for Interventions and Research on Nonnative Accents

Abstract

Nonnative-accented speakers face prevalent discrimination. The assumption that people freely express negative sentiments toward nonnative speakers has also guided common research methods. However, recent studies did not consistently find downgrading, so that prejudice against nonnative accents might even be questioned at first sight. The present theoretical article will bridge these contradictory findings in three ways: (a) We illustrate that nonnative speakers with foreign accents frequently may not be downgraded in commonly used first-impression and employment scenario paradigms. It appears that relatively controlled responding may be influenced by norms and motivations to respond without prejudice, whereas negative biases emerge in spontaneous responding. (b) We present an integrative view based on knowledge on modern forms of prejudice to develop modern notions of accent-ism, which allow for predictions when accent biases are (not) likely to surface. (c) We conclude with implications for interventions and a tailored research agenda.

Toward a Century of Language Attitudes Research: Looking Back and Moving Forward

“…They have also been shown to influence nonlanguage behaviors and other social judgments across a range of applied contexts. Collectively, this research shows that speakers of low prestige varieties frequently face prejudice and discrimination (see Gluszek & Dovidio, 2010b;Roessel et al, 2020). For instance, nonstandard speakers tend to be judged as less suitable than standard speakers for high status employment (e.g., manager; Giles et al, 1981;Rakić et al, 2011b).…”

Non-Native English Speakers’ Attitudes Towards Polish-Accented English

“…The second understanding of normativity refers then to the norm of not downgrading or discriminating others (cf. Roessel et al 2020;also, Pantos & Perkins, 2013). What is more, Roessel et al (2020) The latter method could emphasise fluency instead of incorporating some already known accent-reductions or modifications (cf.…”

“…Likewise, English language training at the university level in Poland, within the paradigm of English as a Foreign Language (EFL), is mainly focused on normative/prescriptive instruction, improving the rendition of certain segmental and suprasegmental pronunciation features, with the explicit main goal of helping learners achieve a more native-like accent. However, this approach may be outdated, as it fails to consider very recent changes in the international 'consumership' of English, which is no longer owned by its NS, and it is increasingly spoken between its NNS in various international and professional contexts, such as: "science, education, media, business, tourism, and finance" (see e.g., Roessel et al, 2020;Crystal, 2012;Seidlhofer, 2011;Pennycook, 2011;Menon & Patel, 2012;Graddol, 2000;Warschauer, 2000).…”

“…point to the research studies on discrimination against NNS (cf Giles & Watson, 2013;. Gluszek & Dovidio, 2010in Roessel et al 2020) which advocate that "whereas strong norms exist nowadays against discrimination and prejudice, in general, the normative climate is rather lenient regarding the expression of negative attitudes toward accents" (2020, p. 89).…”

“…Still, the degree of foreign accent is thought to determine the strength of negative reactions(Radomski and Szpyra-Kozłowska 2014, p. 69); when its intensity dwindles, more favourable attitudes concerning other aspects of accented speech may be expressed (Szpyra-Kozłowska 2015, p. 47). Interestingly,Roessel et al (2020) outline the studies which indicate that differing attractiveness of particular foreign accents and certain stereotypes which are ascribed to some social groups "may attitudes pertaining to prestige and social attractiveness may also stem from an increase in the processing time (in Moyer 2014, p. 20). The processing difficulty, caused by accented speech, triggers negative judgements of credibility (Lev-Ari & Keysar 2010).…”