HOW REGIONAL DIALECTS INFLUENCE PERCEPTION IN THE UK AND THE US

Abstract

This paper explores how regional dialects shape social perception in the United Kingdom and the United States, focusing specifically on the way accents influence judgments of intelligence, trustworthiness, and socioeconomic status. Dialects are more than linguistic variation—they are social markers that can either privilege or marginalize speakers within different cultural contexts. Drawing on sociolinguistic studies, the research compares how listeners in both countries perceive regional accents such as Scouse, Cockney, and Received Pronunciation in the UK, and Southern, Midwestern, and New York accents in the US. Findings reveal that while RP in the UK is often associated with authority and education, regional accents like Scouse or Brummie are subject to negative stereotyping. Similarly, in the US, a Southern drawl might be linked with friendliness but also perceived lower intelligence. The study emphasizes that these biases are not rooted in linguistic inferiority but in deeply embedded social attitudes. By isolating perception as a central theme, this research highlights the urgent need to challenge dialect-based prejudice in education, media, and employment sectors.