Accent Discrimination or They Really Can’t Understand You?

Accent discrimination is a nuanced issue that raises questions about whether biases stem from genuine comprehension difficulties or prejudice.

On one side, people often argue that unfamiliar accents create challenges in understanding speech. A study highlighted in SBS News explains how difficulty in processing foreign-accented speech can unintentionally lead to negative evaluations. For instance, in professional settings, listeners might find it harder to follow instructions or grasp nuanced ideas when accents differ significantly from their own. This is particularly true in industries that rely heavily on verbal communication. Accents can sometimes act as a barrier, not out of malice, but simply due to a lack of exposure or experience with linguistic diversity. In such cases, the issue is less about prejudice and more about practical difficulties in comprehension.

However, on the other side, accent discrimination is often intertwined with biases and stereotypes. Research conducted by the Australian National University, discussed in SBS News, reveals a “double disadvantage” faced by women with foreign accents in the workplace. This study found that linguistic background impacted employability ratings for female speakers, with Anglo women perceived as the most employable and women with second-language accents, such as Russian or Mandarin speakers, considered the least employable. Interestingly, male candidates faced no such bias, regardless of their accents. This finding underscores how accent can become a proxy for deeper biases related to gender, ethnicity, or cultural background. Moreover, it shows how discrimination often persists even when comprehension is not an issue.

In response to these challenges, experts recommend anti-bias training for HR professionals and hiring managers to mitigate accent-related prejudice. Advocates for linguistic equality argue that fostering exposure to diverse accents in education and media can help break down barriers, leading to greater inclusivity.

While comprehension difficulties may explain part of the issue, they cannot account for the systemic discrimination faced by individuals with foreign accents. The perception that certain accents signal lower competence or employability reflects deep-seated biases that demand introspection and change. Whether in the workplace or society at large, accent discrimination is a reminder of the importance of embracing diversity in all its forms.

For my part, I have observed here in Sydney, both sides of the argument. My Chinese born friend who came to Australia in her teens, had an accent but was completely understandable and completed a nursing degree here, was very depressed in her first job. She was being belittled by a couple of older and more senior nurses that were supposed to mentor her. Perhaps they had had problems with non-native nurses in the past, but my friend was completely fluent, just accented. I came to the conclusion is was bias. She changed hospitals and flourished.

On the other hand, I had a manager who studied English literature to PHD level, but can’t be comprehended in English. This was a problems because she needed to complete paperwork to get the school accredited by the government, and she couldn’t understand or write the appropriate English, and she got angry with mean when I asked her to clarify instructions. I quit. It was accent bias, it was self-denial on her part. She needed to improve her English to have the same level of job that she had in her country, but pride got in her way.

On the other hand, I had a manager who studied English literature to PHD level, but can’t be comprehended in English. This was a problems because she needed to complete paperwork to get the school accredited by the government, and she couldn’t understand or write the appropriate English, and she got angry with mean when I asked her to clarify instructions. I quit. It wasn’t accent bias, it was self-denial on her part. She needed to improve her English to have the same level of job that she had in her country, but pride got in her way.

And that would be my advice to professional migrants, look at yourself first, ask you native friends and colleagues their opinion, and analyze the situation logical, not emotional. It could be self-denial and self-sabotage to not improve your English. Or it might well be accent bias.

How do you feel about the balance between comprehension and discrimination in this debate?

Sources and further reading:

Forbes: “Accent Discrimination Is Still A Pervasive Issue In The Workplace, Research Finds,” November 18, 2022.

SBS: “Maria is Struggling to Get Ahead at Work. She Wonders if Her Accent is to Blame,” March 2025.