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Acadiana-Area Speech-Language Pathology Students’ Perceptions of Cajun English Speakers
Kroll, Tobias A. Mok, Zaneta Keegan, Louise Papakyritsis, Ioannis Damico, Jack S.
Kroll, Tobias A.
Mok, Zaneta
Keegan, Louise
Papakyritsis, Ioannis
Damico, Jack S.
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Abstract
Purpose: Accents may have an impact on how a speaker’s personality is perceived, and such dynamics may impact the therapeutic relationship. This study examined how speech-language pathology students in the Acadiana (Cajun) area of Louisiana perceive speakers of Cajun English (CE), Standard American English (SAE), and Standard Southern English (SE) on 2 dimensions of personality perception: solidarity (social closeness) and competence (education and intelligence).
Method: An online survey was completed by 73 of the 285 undergraduate and master’s students at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Participants were presented with a standardized reading sample in each of the target accents. Target accents were not disclosed to participants. Students were asked to rate the speakers on a 6-point Likert scale for each of the 5 items in either dimension.
Results: The CE speaker was rated higher than the SAE and SE speakers on 4 out of 5 measures of solidarity (Sociable, Likable, Friendly, and Kind), whereas the SAE speaker was rated higher than the CE or SE speakers on 2 out of 5 measures of competence (Educated and Intelligent). These results are in line with previous findings regarding the perception of personality traits in speakers of standard versus nonstandard, in-group accents.
Conclusion: Despite the fact that training in linguistics is part of their curriculum, speech-language pathology students in the Acadiana area showed stereotypical patterns of accent perception. It is suggested that speech-language pathology education might benefit from targeting students’ preconceptions in order to help students appreciate the uniqueness of each client.
Keywords
dialect, accent perception, speech-language pathology education, Cajun English, survey
Date
2014
Type
Journal article
Journal
Contemporary Issues in Communication Science and Disorders
Book
Volume
41
Issue
Fall
Page Range
210-220
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Allied Health
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
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Open Access Status
License
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Controlled