Our Mission
Our mission is to empower speech pathologists to address accent bias by offering a resource on selected varieties of English. We provide information and insights into different English accents, enabling speech pathologists to enhance their understanding and proficiency in working with individuals from various linguistic backgrounds.
Our History
This site was created as a part of a “Varieties of English” class at Brigham Young University, taught by Dr. Lisa Morgan Johnson, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Linguistics, in consultation with Dr. Dallin Bailey, an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders. Additional contributions come from Dr. Wendy Backer-Smemoe’s classes on Second Language Acquisition.
About Accent Bias
Accent bias refers to the unconscious judgments or prejudices that individuals may hold based on a person’s accent or dialect features. Speech pathologists who are aware of accent bias are better equipped to address the unique challenges faced by individuals with diverse accents. Additionally, a nuanced understanding of accent bias allows speech pathologists to tailor their therapeutic approaches to account for cultural and linguistic differences, promoting effective communication and improving overall client outcomes.1
Accent bias can be based on dialectal differences outside of just pronunciation. These can include grammatical, lexical, and phonological differences. Through educational content, we aspire to empower speech pathologists to navigate the complexities of accent bias with competence and cultural sensitivity, ultimately fostering better communication and understanding.
How Can Speech Varieties Influence SLP?
Speech-language pathology is a specialized field where even the smallest variation in speech, accent or dialect can affect the quality of treatment. Understanding speech patterns and dialectical variation enables SLP professionals to offer the highest quality evaluation and treatment. We recognize that everyone is unique, and it is important to take into account the diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds of each person.
- Accent Bias Britain. (2019, November 18). Accents in Britain. Accent Bias Britain. https://accentbiasbritain.org/accents-in-britain/