To what extent do our accents determine the way we are perceived by others? Is foreign accent inevitably associated with social stigma? Accent is a matter of great public interest given the impact of migration on national and global affairs, but until now, applied linguistics research has treated accent largely as a theoretical puzzle. In this fascinating account, Alene Moyer examines the social, psychological, educational and legal ramifications of sounding 'foreign'. She explores how accent operates contextually through analysis of issues such as: the neuro-cognitive constraints on phonological acquisition, individual factors that contribute to the 'intractability' of accent, foreign accent as a criterion for workplace discrimination, and the efficacy of instruction for improving pronunciation. This holistic treatment of second language accent is an essential resource for graduate students and researchers interested in applied linguistics, bilingualism and foreign language education.
• Emphasizes the reception of accent so readers will gain an understanding of the linguistic, as well as non-linguistic, factors by which non-native speakers' accents are judged • Integrates sociolinguistic and psycholinguistic theory and empirical findings in L2 phonology • Provides critical review of empirical findings from a broad array of research strands
Contents
1. The scope and relevance of accent; 2. Accent and age; 3. Accent and the individual; 4. Accent and society; 5. Accent and the law; 6. Accent and instruction; 7. Conclusions.
Reviews
'A wonderfully rich and readable treatment of accent in all its complexity … refreshingly nuanced in its comments on the practical matters it addresses.' David Singleton, Trinity College Dublin
'Meticulously documented, comprehensive in scope, and well-balanced in its coverage of all of the relevant issues, Moyer's book is the one I wish I had written!' Tom Scovel, Professor Emeritus, San Francisco State University
'This insightful volume provides an overview of accent in non-native speech that ranges from Moyer's areas of past expertise - second language phonology, age effects, and the role of individual differences - to broad applications and implications for society, education and politics.' Julia Herschensohn, University of Washington
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