Accent Bias: It’s not what you said, it’s how you said it…
Ever feel like your voice isn’t being heard, not because of what you said, but how you said it?
Accent bias is when people make sweeping assumptions about our intelligence, career and values (and more) based on how we speak.
Accent bias can manifest in a variety of ways, including:
Stereotyping people with certain accents as less intelligent, educated or professional.
Discrimination whereby people are denied jobs, promotions or other opportunities because of their accent
Exclusion from social groups, communities and activities both in and out of the workplace
Self-doubt and self-consciousness about their abilities and skills because of accent bias
What’s in an accent?
According to recent research by the University of Cambridge in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University, people with accents from Liverpool, Newcastle, Bradford, and London are at a higher risk of being stereotyped. This research highlights that accent bias is not limited to non-native English speakers but also affects native speakers from different regions.
I was raised in Newham, one of London’s most diverse boroughs, so differences in accents and pronunciations weren’t uncommon.
So, when I went to university, you can imagine my shock when the teasing started about my London accent. The most memorable was that I used to say ‘aks’ instead of ‘ask’ - that the way I spoke was something to laugh at and ridicule. Sadly, I don’t default to saying ‘aks’ anymore. I adapted my accent because I felt ashamed and wanted to fit in. However, when I was in meetings while working at my University, my peers told me they knew when I was nervous because my accent would get all ‘London’. I remember feeling mortified. How could I let it slip?
Now, my accent changes - maybe, a form of code-switching. Depending on who I am around, my accent might be more London than with others.
So, if you notice I drop my h’s or t’s occasionally, it’s OK—I’m probably hanging out with Dad talking about West Ham (but without the H, ha).
Accents in the Workplace
Over the years, working in DEI and delivering 100s of workshops around topics like bias, I’ve heard countless stories about people facing discrimination because of their accents. Being passed over for jobs or promotions and being ridiculed and bullied openly in their office environment. Some have even been asked to soften or tone down their accents. It’s unjust and heartbreaking because our accents reflect our backgrounds, communities and journeys - they shouldn’t be shamed and hidden. They are distinctly part of who we are; we shouldn’t have to hide or change them to fit in.
We need to create workplaces where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of how they speak. By working together, we can make a more equitable and inclusive society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their accent.
So, have you ever experienced bias or witnessed someone else stereotyped for their accent?
