How accents shape us | Bino Vũ | TEDxHANU
TEDx Talks·2025-08-04 15:20

Accents and Perception - Accents significantly influence how individuals are perceived and judged, impacting assumptions about their education, competence, and background [9] - Communication effectiveness is more crucial than sounding native; accent is merely a tool for conveying messages [8][12] - There is no truly neutral or standard accent; these are constructs that can be used to create hierarchies [9] - Accent reflects an individual's life story, originating from their native language and dialect [9] Bias and Discrimination - Job applicants with foreign accents are 16% less likely to receive callbacks, highlighting potential bias in hiring processes [12] - Individuals may face judgment and discrimination based on their accents, affecting their interactions and opportunities [9][11] Embracing Linguistic Diversity - Individuals should be proud of their accents and not be afraid to showcase them, as the message conveyed is more important than the accent itself [15][18] - Learning new accents can be beneficial for various reasons, such as career advancement or entertainment, without diminishing the value of one's original accent [16][18] - The goal should be clarity and connection in communication, rather than conforming to a native-like accent [12]