アジア訛りの英語非母語話者に対する態度：訛りの強さと聞き手の違いの影響

抄録

This study examined how non-native English speakers with Asian accents are evaluated. Previous research has consistently shown that non-native speakers with Asian accents tend to be rated lower than native English speakers on dimensions of competence and status. However, findings regarding the dimension of attractiveness have been less consistent. In the present study, 48 Japanese participants (22 with relatively high English proficiency and 26 with relatively low proficiency) and 26 native English speakers participated in an evaluation task using the verbal-guise technique. They rated non-native English speakers with varying levels of Asian accent. The results showed that both Japanese participants and native English speakers evaluated speakers with stronger Asian accents more negatively on both competence/status and attractiveness dimensions. Moreover, Japanese participants evaluated the Asian-accented speakers more negatively overall than did native English speakers. These findings suggest the existence of standard language ideology in the evaluation of speakers with Asian-accented English, as well as native-speakerism in English learning among Japanese participants.