We Are What We Say: Accent-Inclusive Socio-Pragmatic Research in Universities

Billy James Chavalala ORCID iD

Issue: Vol.6  No.8 Article 11 pp. 1429 – 1440
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256811 | Published online 11th July, 2025

© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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This study investigated accent-inclusive socio-pragmatic practices in South African universities, aiming to understand how linguistic diversity shapes communication and social dynamics in academic settings. The study employed a mixed-methods design to gain a comprehensive understanding of accent inclusivity in universities, integrating both statistical analysis and in-depth qualitative insights.  Accents, often tied to socio-economic, regional, or cultural identities, were found to trigger biases and stereotyping, leading to marginalization of speakers with non-standard accents. Using interviews, focus groups, and discourse analysis in several universities, the study revealed that accent bias negatively affected academic participation, social inclusion, and self-confidence. Participants reported that accents influenced perceptions of competence and credibility, reinforcing social exclusion and systemic inequities. The findings highlighted a notable absence of institutional policies promoting accent inclusivity. To address these issues, the study recommended socio-pragmatic interventions, such as training programs to confront linguistic biases, increased awareness campaigns about accent diversity, and the integration of inclusive language policies into institutional frameworks. By fostering a culture that values linguistic diversity, universities could strengthen academic and social discourse. The study contributed significantly to scholarship on linguistic justice by emphasizing accent inclusivity as a critical aspect of diversity and equity initiatives in higher education. It advocated for a holistic approach that connects language, identity, and equity, encouraging institutions to create environments where all individuals can express themselves authentically and thrive academically and socially.

Keywords: Accent Inclusivity, Socio-Pragmatics, Linguistic Bias, Diversity

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Dr BJ Chavalala is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Limpopo, specializing in Language Methodology.  Dr BJ Chavalala has made significant contributions to the development of DLE modules, supervision and projects. He has worked with different stakeholders like PenSalb, DBE Exam committee as a researcher and Language Laboratory researcher to mention a few. In addition to his professional work, Dr BJ Chavalala is passionate about the less privileged and always ready to make them future leaders. He also wrote books, book chapters and lot of articles.

Chavalala, Billy James. “We Are What We Say: Accent-Inclusive Socio-Pragmatic Research in Universities,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 6, no.8 (2025): 1429 – 1440. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20256811

© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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