Accent as a Marker of Identity
Session Number
3
Advisor(s)
Dr. Mary Zuidema, IMSA
Location
A133
Discipline
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Start Date
15-4-2026 2:15 PM
End Date
15-4-2026 3:00 PM
Abstract
Accents have a prevalent role across diverse sectors of society, from social belonging to economic mobility. Yet, in many social spaces, accents become sources of stigma and pressure to conform. These pressures often silence voices within diasporic communities and shape how linguistic minorities express themselves in daily life. Within immigrant families specifically, these dynamics grow more layered when accents differ across generations, creating tension around identity and communication. Prior work shows that even children from diverse linguistic backgrounds tend to prefer native-accented speakers, which reflects early internalization of broader societal biases. This study, therefore, treats accents as a meaningful construct. Through qualitative narra tive inquiry, this project examines what role accents play in bi/multilingual family dynamics, particularly as families navigate cultural expectations, translation duties, and intergenerational communication.
Accent as a Marker of Identity
A133
Accents have a prevalent role across diverse sectors of society, from social belonging to economic mobility. Yet, in many social spaces, accents become sources of stigma and pressure to conform. These pressures often silence voices within diasporic communities and shape how linguistic minorities express themselves in daily life. Within immigrant families specifically, these dynamics grow more layered when accents differ across generations, creating tension around identity and communication. Prior work shows that even children from diverse linguistic backgrounds tend to prefer native-accented speakers, which reflects early internalization of broader societal biases. This study, therefore, treats accents as a meaningful construct. Through qualitative narra tive inquiry, this project examines what role accents play in bi/multilingual family dynamics, particularly as families navigate cultural expectations, translation duties, and intergenerational communication.