Stigma, self-styling and 'forced accents' among English L2 speakers in Spain
Codó, Eva (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Filologia Anglesa i de Germanística)
Collins, Carly

Date:	2025
Abstract:	This paper examines the relationship between shame, stigma and accent for non-native English speakers in Spain. The low English competence of the Spanish population frequently constitutes a source of individual and collective stigma - which includes the apparent undesirability of Spanish-sounding English. Drawing on semi-structured interviews conducted in Barcelona, this paper explores participant perceptions around L2 English and accent. The results show how keenly aware they are of the stigma surrounding Spanish-sounding English. Also revealed is how some people may engage in stylisation of (American) English in order to reap the benefits of sounding like highly proficient speakers, and to distance themselves from a locally stigmatised English-speaking persona. These attempts can however backfire, as speakers may potentially be perceived as inauthentically 'forcing' an accent. The paper argues for the need to pay close attention to the evolving indexicalities of English and the contrasting social personas in specific localities.
Note:	Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UAB
Note:	Ajuts: English Immersion as Family Language Policy, Grant/Award Number: PID2019-106710GB-I00; MICIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca Accent ; Versió publicada
Subject:	L2 English ; Performanc ; Spanish-sounding English ; StylisationThis
Published in:	World Englishes, 2025 , ISSN 1467-971X

DOI: 10.1111/weng.12721

17 p, 291.4 KB

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