The Influence of Media Exposure and Education on the English Accent of Dutch Speakers
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2021-08-15
Language
en
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Abstract
This research investigates the correlation between the English accent of Dutch speakers and
their high school education and exposure to English media. Questionnaire data were collected
from 34 native Dutch speaking participants about their accent in English, education, exposure
to media, and the most frequent English accent in their exposure to media. Additionally, an
audio analysis was done to review the accent of 11 participants to ensure their judgement of
their accent was accurate. The analysis showed a strong correlation between the accent in the
media exposure and the self-reported English accent of the speaker, yet no significant
correlation between the education they received and their self-reported adopted English
accent. The audio analysis showed that the participant’s judgement of their own accent could
be trusted and found that Dutch speakers all tend to pronounce words with Secondary Stress
and Rhoticity with an American accent. These results suggest that exposure to media has a
significant influence on the speaker’s accent and these factors should be taken into
consideration while improving the English education in the Netherlands.
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Faculteit der Letteren