What is Accentism?
Accentism is when a person is unfairly judged, treated, or commented on because of how they speak.
Unlike many other forms of prejudice, accentism is often “socially acceptable”, masquerading as “upholding standards” or encouraging “proper English”. In reality, accentism is nearly always a proxy for other types of discrimination, including classism, racism, and stereotypes about a person’s regional origins.
It is important that we challenge accentism as it can have profound impacts on an individual’s confidence, career progression, and how they are treated.