Accent bias affects perceptions of professional competence in England
In short: A representative study of 848 people in England asked them to rate simulated candidates for a trainee solicitor role, each speaking in a different accent. Southern working-class accents consistently drew harsher judgments of interview performance and employability than other varieties.
The accents varied by region, ethnicity and class, reflecting accent as a marker of social background, and the bias shifted with listener age, what the speaker said, and listeners' own attitudes.
The study surveyed a large, representative sample using simulated interview recordings rather than real hiring decisions, so it reveals patterns in perception rather than proof of actual discrimination in hiring.
Why it matters: Accent can still shape snap judgments of professional competence in England today.
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Sources
- Source: Research: Levon et al. (2021). Accent Bias and Perceptions of Professional Competence in England. Journal of English Linguistics. · other-oa
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