A qualitative investigation of the experience of accent stigmatisation among native and nonnative French speakers in Canada

Abstract

Decades of language attitudes research have documented negative evaluations of non-standard speakers. However, fewer studies have investigated the experience of stigmatization from the perspective of the non-standard speakers themselves. The study aims to explore the following questions: (1) What perception do speakers hold of their accent? (2) What does perceived accent discrimination look like? (3) How do stigmatized speakers respond to discriminatory experiences? Semistructured interviews were conducted among 36 (native, n=18; non-native, n=18) French-speaking participants in Canada. Participants were systematically selected from three regions in Canada for each group, capturing the experiences of nonstandard speakers from areas with varying levels of French ethnolinguistic vitality. The results show that (1) attitudes towards one’s accent often appear to reinforce or diminish pride in one’s way of speaking, and feelings of belonging or language competency; (2) accent stigmatization among French speakers in Canada is perceived by many non-standard speakers, and discrimination is perceived to occur in various settings and to take multiple forms; (3) behavioural, cognitive and affective responses to and consequences of discrimination are identified.

Perceived Accent Discrimination: Psychosocial Consequences and Perceived Legitimacy

“…In French Canada specifically, a study by Noël and Beaton (2010) found that Acadian youth perceived that francophones from Quebec (a region in which French benefits from relatively higher vitality) evaluated the Acadian way of speaking as unacceptable, faulty, or shameful to the French language. In a qualitative study among French speakers from regions of varying levels of ethnolinguistic vitality, both nonnative and native participants reported experiencing accent discrimination in a broad range of settings (Freynet et al, 2018). This included differential treatment (e.g., being excluded, considered less suitable for employment, and treated with less respect), being singled out, or the perceived denial of French identity and competence.…”

“…A study among minority Hungarian speakers learning Slovak as a second language in Slovakia supports this notion—it found that accent stigmatization was significantly and positively related to second language use anxiety (Vincze & MacIntyre, 2016). Among nonnative and native language speakers in French Canada, some described experiencing a decrease in their language confidence as a consequence of perceived discrimination (Freynet et al, 2018). Because reduced language confidence has previously been found to be related to unwillingness to communicate, weakened identity, and less language motivation, proficiency, and use of a language (Noels & Clément, 1996; Sampasivam & Clément, 2014; Vincze & MacIntyre, 2016), it is important to further understand factors that could lead to its loss.…”

“…When an accent diverges from the standard, a standard speaker may classify the nonstandard speakers as part of an out-group. When nonstandard speakers experience this, they may construe it as a denial of their identity or perceive being categorized by others (Freynet et al, 2018; Pilote & Canuel, 2013).…”

“…Jaspal and Sitaridou’s (2013) qualitative study among Andalusian Spanish found that stigmatized speakers perceived a threat to their ethnolinguistic identity. Qualitative studies among native and nonnative French speakers in Canada show that some nonstandard speakers report weakened French identity in relation to occurrences of French criticism or denial of their identity (Freynet et al, 2018; Pilote & Canuel, 2013).…”

“…Specific accents tend to be found in certain geographical regions or among members of social groups (Giles, 1970; Gluszek & Dovidio, 2010a). Beyond its linguistic particularities, an accent leads to complex interpersonal interactions and is an integral part of the way some individuals define and present themselves to others (Freynet, Clément, & Sylvestre, 2018; Gasquet-Cyrus, 2012).…”