<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Research has shown that individuals speaking low-prestige language varieties are often negatively evaluated and stigmatized by others. However, less is known about how speakers of such language varieties perceive their own speech. Here, we examined self-perceptions and perceived stigma of speakers who belong to multiple social categories signaled by auditory cues. Specifically, we examined beliefs of sexual minority and heterosexual male speakers who were either British nationals (native English speakers) or foreigners living in the UK (non-native English speakers). British speakers believed their voices cue their nationality more than foreigners. Heterosexuals believed their voices reveal their sexual orientation, but only when they self-perceived as sounding masculine. Sexual minority and foreign speakers felt more stigmatized because of the way they sound than did heterosexual and British speakers, respectively. These findings have implications for intergroup communication and voice-based stigmatization literature.</p>
</abstract>

Research has shown that individuals speaking low-prestige language varieties are often negatively evaluated and stigmatized by others. However, less is known about how speakers of such language varieties perceive their own speech. Here, we examined self-perceptions and perceived stigma of speakers who belong to multiple social categories signaled by auditory cues. Specifically, we examined beliefs of sexual minority and heterosexual male speakers who were either British nationals (native English speakers) or foreigners living in the UK (non-native English speakers). British speakers believed their voices cue their nationality more than foreigners. Heterosexuals believed their voices reveal their sexual orientation, but only when they self-perceived as sounding masculine. Sexual minority and foreign speakers felt more stigmatized because of the way they sound than did heterosexual and British speakers, respectively. These findings have implications for intergroup communication and voice-based stigmatization literature.

When voice signals nationality and sexual orientation: Speakers’ self-perceptions and perceived stigmatization

Psychology of Language and Communication

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Research has shown that individuals speaking low-prestige language varieties are often negatively evaluated and stigmatized by others. However, less is known...

When voice signals nationality and sexual orientation: Speakers’ self-perceptions and perceived stigmatization

Published Online: Mar 21, 2023

Page range: 59 - 83

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2023-0004

Keywords
voice, accent, nationality, sexual orientation, stigmatization, stereotyping

© 2023 Fabio Fasoli et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

When voice signals nationality and sexual orientation: Speakers’ self-perceptions and perceived stigmatization

Published Online: Mar 21, 2023

Page range: 59 - 83

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58734/plc-2023-0004

Keywordsvoice, accent, nationality, sexual orientation, stigmatization, stereotyping

© 2023 Fabio Fasoli et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
voice, accent, nationality, sexual orientation, stigmatization, stereotyping