Counter an unconscious bias against other accents

By Yris Lance | • Published October 10, 2008

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The United States has a multicultural, multiracial society. Racial and ethnic diversity are accompanied by language and cultural differences. The National Virtual Translation Center reports that in the United States, people speak in more than 311 different languages. In addition, the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that millions of immigrants do not speak English at home. The bureau also has found that in the United States, most immigrants speak English as a second language.

Language diversity is noticeable in people's homes, schools and workplaces. Modern organizations continue increasing the number of bilingual and multilingual employees. Some of these same organizations, however, also weigh individuals' accents against them in hiring and promotion decisions.

Research at the University of North Texas and the University of Utah indicate that people's accents influence their possibilities of finding jobs or getting promoted to positions according to their education and experience. These studies show that people without an identified accent are frequently considered more intelligent and competent than those with identified accents.

The National Hispanic Corporate Council reports that stereotypes of people with strong foreign accents is not uncommon. People with a Hispanic accent often are considered less knowledgeable, incapable or uneducated, while people with a British accent are considered more intelligent.

Researchers also report that individuals with Asian accents could be considered a plus in science or engineering companies, and that people with European and Australian accents are usually not discriminated against.

Individuals with hiring, supervisory and evaluative responsibilities are becoming more aware of the possibilities of unconscious bias against speakers with accents. During the past few years, many businesses have increased the numbers of multiracial, multicultural employees. But the majority still must address the potential communication barriers that diversity can bring.