Accentism: Experiences of Thais as English LX Users in Workplaces

Abstract

Accent discrimination, or accentism, has been studied in various contexts, with a few focusing on hierarchical workplace environments. However, its impact in Thailand remains underexplored. Through nonprobability purposive–convenience sampling, this study investigates accentism in Thai workplaces through online semi-structured interviews with six Thai employees. Using a thematic-analysis approach, it examines their perceptions of their English accent, the extent and nature of accent discrimination they face, and its effects on them. The findings reveal that Thai employees experience both overt and covert accentism, affecting their self-esteem and professional opportunities. Participants reported cases of mockery, diminished confidence, and social exclusion directly linked to their “nonnative” English accents, emphasizing a prevalent workplace bias that associates professional competence with (“native”) accent conformity. This bias is not solely linguistic but deeply intertwined with social identity and power dynamics within professional settings. Implications from the findings emphasize the need for Thai workplaces to adopt more inclusive practices that recognize and value linguistic diversity.