To be mocked for something you can't control is an issue many of us face. For some people, however, it can be a real point of insecurity.
My accent has always been a source of anxiety for me and I have serious concerns of being unduly judged for something I have no real control over. I never speak up in lectures, despite knowing the answer - just in case I’m asked to repeat myself. My accent has been laughed at for being heavy, despite the fact I don’t sound remotely like the accent so often mocked. Worst of all, I go through phases where I seriously give thought to accent reduction classes, just so there’s never any chance of my West Scotland twang holding me back in my job search.
I go through phases where I seriously give thought to accent reduction classes, just so there’s never any chance of my West Scotland twang holding me back in my job search
It might sound crazy, but this really isn't such an unfounded concern.
Research conducted by the Social Mobility Commission found that working-class candidates find it disproportionately more difficult to enter elite professions than those of higher socioeconomic status. Despite presenting with similar experiences and qualifications, it was found that employers were making such decisions through indicators of prestige rather than merit.
Additionally, it was in 2006 that the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development made some startling discoveries around how our accents impact our job prospects. Not only did only 3% admit that accent and dialect were a protected characteristic, but around 76% reported discriminating against applicants on the basis of their accents.
Despite growing up around Scottish accents, I only vaguely remember hearing them on TV - and no, Laura Kuenssberg, unfortunately, doesn’t count. I remember thinking that seeing Carol Kirkwood on BBC weather every morning was a sign of true representation, or watching Laurie Brett on Waterloo Road was demonstrative of the fact that maybe one day I could be on TV, or hold a job in the public eye (despite my own vague West of Scotland accent).
we in the United Kingdom have been allowed to operate with a damaging attitude of elitism and obsession with social class
Given the outrage when a Scottish couple appeared on Gogglebox last week without subtitles, however, I suspect my chances are slim.
I think the reality is, we in the United Kingdom have been allowed to operate with a damaging attitude of elitism and obsession with social class which has spread across all areas of our lives. We associate power and intelligence with the Received Pronunciation (RP) accent (which is only used by approximately 2% of the population), but more common, regional accents we deem as a sign of a lack of education.
Scots may reside in No. 10, have found their place in Hollywood, and even worked their way up to the position of BBC’s Political Editor; but I will always remember that 1975 article and try to tone down what is nothing more than my personal identity.
