So-Called “Standard” English Accent: Experiences and Preferences of Tertiary Level Students of Bangladesh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69907/tbj.v1i1.65Abstract
In ESL or EFL countries like Bangladesh, many students are concerned about their pronunciation because it affects their self-esteem. To address this sensitive yet under-researched issue, this paper delves into the benefits and challenges faced by Bangladeshi tertiary level students regarding “standard” American and British English accents. Qualitative data analysis involved conducting semi-structured interviews with six undergraduate and postgraduate students of a Bangladeshi private university. Findings revealed that proficient language participants had more positive experiences and views on “standard” English accents, while those with lower English competence expressed less confidence. Both those with low and high English proficiency were aware that the use of a “standard” English accent is beneficial for job purposes and for conforming to social norms of adhering to a “standard” variety. Finally, it was found that a Bangladeshi English accent may help create a distinctive identity. However, some participants opined that going above and beyond to create a Bangladeshi English accent is neither worth it nor warranted, as Bangla is quite a stable language.
Keywords: English accent, American English, British English, standard accent, standard variety