Part of
Pragmatics of AccentsEdited by Gaëlle Planchenault and Livia Poljak
[Pragmatics & Beyond New Series 327] 2021
► pp. 117–140
Edited by Gaëlle Planchenault and Livia Poljak
[Pragmatics & Beyond New Series 327] 2021
► pp. 117–140
The pragmatic force of second language accent in education
Second language (L2) accents are defined by pronunciation features differing from a particular
standard, but listeners perceive more than sound differences when evaluating accents. L2 accents are indexical
to a speaker’s perceived place in an L2 community and convey pragmatic information about a speaker’s identity.
Accent thus impacts the ways learners create identities and manage social roles. Such identity creation may be
especially important in being heard as a valid speaker of the L2, a prerequisite to identity construction and
further language learning. This chapter explores the pragmatic force of L2 accent for learners in educational
settings, by using data collected from language learners and bilinguals and examining participants’ complex
reactions towards accents, and studying the multifaceted goals for their pronunciation.
Keywords: Second language accent, Pragmatic force, Education, International teaching assistants (ITAs), Language teachers
Article outline
- 1.Ways of speaking and second language accent
- 2.Data collection
- 3.What is an accent?
- 4.Influence of age in pronunciation learning
- 5.The pragmatic force of second language accent
- International teaching assistants in North American university classrooms
- Accent and second language teacher education
- 6.Finding your voice and establishing an identity in the L2
- 7.Conclusion
-
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