Ep87. Accents, Identity, and Discrimination: Why Do Some Accents Have More Prestige?

What does your accent say about you? More importantly, why do some accents carry social prestige while others are stigmatized? In this eye-opening episode, we take a deep dive into the world of accents—how they shape identity, influence perception, and impact real-world opportunities.🔍 What you’ll discover in this episode:✅ The science behind accents – How they form, why they persist, and what they reveal about cultural identity.✅ The history of accent bias – How colonialism, media, and class structures created hierarchies of “prestige” accents.✅ The psychology of accent discrimination – Why our brains judge people based on how they sound—often without us realizing it.✅ Real-world consequences – How accents impact employment, education, social mobility, and even the legal system.✅ The role of media & pop culture – How films, TV, and news reinforce stereotypes about certain accents.✅ The struggles of language learners – Why many feel pressure to “lose” their native accent and whether that’s really necessary.✅ Expert insights & case studies – Stories from professionals, students, and researchers who have faced and studied accent bias.✅ Practical solutions – How we can challenge accent discrimination, promote linguistic diversity, and shift societal attitudes.Accents are more than just pronunciation—they’re about power, privilege, and perception. So, are we truly listening to what someone says, or just how they say it?