Regional Accents in the Business

¶ … Regional Accents in the Business Environment

The way that we speak is directly effected by the place we come from and the people we are raised around. There can be many variations in language and the way it is used, based on social constructs and contexts. Regional accents or dialects are referring to a specific manner in which a person speaks a language. Everyone from a certain area will usually speak a common language (example: English) but the form of speech used of that language will be specific to an individual.

In an official or business setting, a standard to "prestige" dialect is often used especially when spoken in formal or educational setting. These prestige dialects are usually set based on certain forms of grammar, standard use dictionaries and on typical local literature. Usually, a vernacular dialect is used in the home or in more informal settings. For some, the vernacular and the standard dialect are exactly the same thing.

Variations in dialect are usually identified by an "accent" which is usually manifested as differences in pronunciation rather than differences in grammar. As we all use a dialect, we all have an accent although the term is relative to where you live. For example, if you live in Seattle, then a person coming from Florida has an accent. If the Seattle person is moved to Florida, then the Seattle person becomes the one with the accent.

As human beings, we have a tendency to notice and even judge people based on their ways of speaking that may be different from our local norm. It has been the tendency to associate class differences with speech patterns. We like to assume that America is a place of tolerance and justice for all, no matter what the origin or education. However, it is true that there are some accents (for example, southern accents), which in the popular media are generally associated with people who are of lower socioeconomic caste or educations. This stereotypical response has even led to the development of a cottage industry in which businessmen and women are taught dialect reduction. It all depends on whether the dialect and regional accent works well for the person or can be a hindrance.

Certain accents can cause certain people to react in certain ways. Even people who feel that they are free from regional, class or native prejudice may have a visceral type reaction when hearing a certain accent. It is also important to remember that in some cases, accents can be helpful in that they can evoke certain positive reactions (such as a British accent seeming sophisticated or an Indian accent seeming exotic). Whatever the case, it is important to remember that it is very unlikely that a person with a very distinctive accent will get a certain job, let's say something like a radio or TV announcer. It is generally accepted as well that there if there is to be considered a correct way to speak a language, and that the correct way is reflected in what is considered to be the standard, then the logical prediction is that the standard will not change over the course of time. This is generally not true. but, as for example what is seen in the case of the use of double negatives, there is often an attempt to demean speakers who use double or other multiple negative constructions.

It is, however, very common to hear double negatives used in the business setting, especially in a more relaxed work environment. This speaks to certain arbitrariness in what is considered standard speech. It is also important to remember that what is considered to be standard in one area of business communication may not be standard in another area. And it is also important to remember that what was standard yesterday may not necessarily be the standard today nor the standard for tomorrow. Basically, the bottom line to this is that what is standard is not necessarily better. What is standard is what is the societal response to certain people who speak certain ways.