Do accents matter in modern Britain?

 

Shared by Irene Calderón - Alumna Master Educación UC

Do accents matter in modern Britain?

A report has found evidence of 'accentism' – discrimination against people because of how they speak

Once, so long ago that it could have been in another life, I was required to take a voice test by the BBC. I had been previously recorded reading the Autocue and, confounded perhaps by barely submerged cadences from the East End, someone found cause to worry. So off I went to the chief voice trainer – a man whose honey-coated, phonetically immaculate delivery made him a legend inside the corporation and beyond. He listened as I read a script that he had rattled off that morning on the Today programme. I just about passed muster. "Your voice is not my voice," he said kindly. "But I think you'll do."

Do accents still matter? Last week Dr Alexander Baratta from the University of Manchester spoke of "accentism", where people are discriminated against because of how they speak and likened it to racism. In a study, he asked people why they changed their accents and how it made them feel. A third of those questioned said they were "ashamed" about flattening out their accents. But what was the alternative? We all want to get ahead; for the most part, the best way to do that is to "fit in". Still, there is a price, the professor says. Facing the world with a voice that is not your own can "undermine your sense of being".

And perhaps that's right. But it must depend on the level of confidence and self-worth that existed at the outset. Think of all the migrants from years past who tinkered with their names to better enable them to make a success of life in Britain or America. They altered something pretty fundamental and survived with their psyche intact. I've written of the friend who christened his children with traditional Asian names, then changed them to completely different British names "to make it easier for them". We are all chameleons when necessary.

Of course, accents should not matter. No one should feel compelled to change the way they interact. If they do so because it works to their advantage, that's different. Then it's about choice, not obligation or coercion.

In multiracial, multilingual, multicultural Britain, the answer – as ever – is reasonable accommodation. The responsibility of the listener is to be tolerant, celebratory perhaps, and to adapt when necessary. The requirement on the speaker is to make themselves understood, whatever lilt they choose.

 

Jul. 14, 2015. The Guardian

 

 Question 1: [2 POINTS] Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE OR FALSE and write down the sentences or part of the text that justifies your answer. No points will be given if the evidence is not correct.

1. According to the author, the boss voice coach had an accent that was difficult to understand.
2. 50% of the survey participants stated that they did not mind modifying their accents.
3. Many emigrants had their names altered in order to prosper in English-speaking countries.
4. Changing accents should not be an imposition, but an option.

Question 2: [2 POINTS] Choose and answer only TWO of the following questions in your own words according to the text.

1. What did the study carried out by Dr Baratta consist of?
2. What is ‘the price’ to fit in referred to by the author?
3. Why did the author's friend change the names of his children?

Question 3: [1,5 POINTS] Find the words or phrases in the text that correspond to the words and definitions given. You only need to have five correct answers to get 1,5 points.

1. Company (par. 1)
2. To soften (par. 2) 
3. To weaken (par. 2)
4. Unbroken (par. 3)
5. Forced (par. 4)
6. Necessary condition (par. 5)

Question 4: [1,5 POINTS] Choose the correct option -a, b, c or d- for each question and COPY both the letter and the sentence that follows onto your answer sheet.

1. The author had to do a voice test because....
1. it was a requirement for working at the BBC.
2. BBC staff were worried about his East London accent.
3. they wanted him to practice the script of a program.
4. they simply wanted to hear him speak.
2. The duty of the listener in a communicative context is...
1. to pay attention to the interlocutor.
2. to focus on the speaker’s speech.
3. to ask for accurate information.
4. to have a supportive and appreciative attitude towards the speaker.
3. Speakers must make themselves understood...
1. regardless of their intonation.
2. regardless of the voice volume.
3. regardless of their mother tongue.
4. regardless of their turn of phrase. 

Question 5: [3 POINTS] Write a short essay (about 120 – 150 words) giving your opinion on one of the following topics.

What are the benefits or disadvantages, if any, of working in an international company?

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “Knowing several languages is crucial for a good CV” Give reasons for your opinion. 

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? “Learning languages is a good way to improve your job prospects”. Give reasons for your opinion.

KEY

Question 1:

a.   FALSE “a man whose honey-coated, phonetically immaculate delivery made him a legend inside the corporation and beyond”

b.  FALSE “A third of those questioned said they were "ashamed" about flattening out their accents”

c.   TRUE “Think of all the migrants from years past who tinkered with their names to better enable them to make a success of life in Britain or America”

d.   TRUE “Then it's about choice, not obligation or coercion”

Question 2:

a.   a) He wanted to reveal whether "accentism" exists, by asking people why they modified their accents and what it felt like.

b.    b) The price to fit into society is to change one's accent and, in a way, to undermine one's own way of being.

c.    c) He changed their names to prevent them from suffering racism because of their origin.

Question 3: 

Company (par. 1) Corporation

b.    To soften (par. 2) Flattening out

c.     To weaken (par. 2) Undermine

d.    Unbroken (par. 3) Intact

e.    Forced (par. 4) Compelled

f.      Necessary condition (par. 5) Requirement

Question 4: 

b.    BBC staff were worried about his East London accent.

d.    to have a supportive and appreciative attitude towards the speaker.

a.    regardless of their intonation.