UK study finds accent biases rooted in class prejudices, affecting students' confidence and life opportunities.

A study reveals that accent biases in the UK are rooted in class prejudices, with industrialized urban accents like the Black Country often seen as lower status. This bias causes anxiety among university students, with over a third feeling self-conscious about their accents, and nearly half reporting that their accents were mocked or criticized. These biases affect perceptions in various aspects of life, from job interviews to court credibility. Researchers link these prejudices to historical class distinctions, where accents from industrialized urban areas are stereotyped and devalued.

2 months ago
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