Processing of and Attitudes Toward Foreign‐Accented Speech

Abstract

In linguistics, the (foreign) accent has been defined as a set of patterns linked to segmental (phones) and suprasegmental (intonation, melody, rhythm, and tone) pronunciation that differ from standard and non‐standard varieties of a language. Other definitions go further by adding that a speaker's (foreign) accent provides information about their geographical, socio‐economic, and ethnic background. In this entry, we argue that an accent, as other traits of a speaker's identity, such as gender, age, or social status, not only affects language processing but also the evaluation of the speaker. We then explain how social categorization, stereotypes, and linguistic (dis)fluency are factors that influence language attitudes and (neuro)cognitive processes, and consequently modulate native speakers' behavior. Finally, we describe the consequences foreign‐accented speech has on everyday life from the point of view of both foreign and native speakers.