Have you ever experienced being judged based on how you speak or your accent?
As a Singaporean who has been teaching in an international school for over a decade, I’ve often been asked by my students why my accent seems to change. Sometimes it’s a Singaporean accent, other times it’s different, and they can’t quite figure out where I come from
In my youth I had a fascination with accents. There were occasions when I attempted to mimic them and others when I refrained. Now as an educator I stress the significance of accents in shaping our identities. Nonetheless they can also give rise to assessments and stereotypes. People frequently exhibit linguicism or “accenticism” unknowingly. When we evaluate an individual solely based on their accent and extend that judgment to their community we are demonstrating bias. Studies have indicated that we subconsciously categorise individuals into groups and preconceive notions about them based on their accents. Assuming that someone is less intelligent because of their accent is an indication of our biases.
What way to educate the young minds than through this book “My Mother Tongues; A Weaving of Languages”, by Uma Menon and Rahele Jomepour Bell? This tale tells the story of a girl who describes her mother originally from Kerala but now living in the United States effortlessly conversing in both Malayalam and English. The girl shares her experience of picking up these languages despite being born in America. They embark on journeys to visit family members who speak a variety of languages and the girl dreams of mastering languages herself one day.
It’s a heartwarming narrative to share with kids promoting the value of embracing and learning languages beyond ones tongue. It serves as a tribute, to those proficient in, than one language. To all you polyglots there delving into languages can undoubtedly expand your social circle and connections.
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