Opinion: In Pursuit of DEI, Linguistic discrimination needs to be eliminated

“Sorry that my English is not good. Do you have a translator?”

Over and over again, I’ve witnessed many people, most of whom are new immigrants, tourists, or English language learners apologize for their ability to speak English before starting a conversation. From their words, it is apparent that they truly feel bad for causing such inconvenience — an inconvenience grounded in the sense of helplessness to communicate in a language that they don’t grow up using.

This inconvenience belies the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which are increasingly emphasized in American society and media. The pursuit of diversity in the workforce, classroom, and community is largely accentuated, but how can it be realized if, at the very least, people have to apologize for their command of the English language?

The act of apologizing contradicts the standards set by DEI as accent discrimination and and adherence to a standard for English speech undermine its goals. Such exclusion contradicts the broader aim of applying DEI principles, which explicitly stress creating inclusive behaviors and social norms. The worst part is that, even when this issue originates from regular conversations, we frequently fail to recognize it.

People apologize for not speaking English fluently, fearing they may inconvenience others. This phenomenon is extremely troublesome because it creates an ideal that our society only accepts people who can speak the language of our founding fathers, thus directly marginalizing a particular population.

Research has shown that people who have an accent are at a strong disadvantage in finding a job, and even in the job force, they will be perceived as less qualified, professional, or educated.

There are numerous tutorials, and articles available online that demonstrate a step-by-step process on How to Get Rid of an Accent or How to Sound Like a Native English Speaker, while discussions about speaking English without an accent are common on platforms such as Reddit.

While the desire to improve English is laudable, it is critical to recognize that this desire is indeed fueled by the marginalization non-native English speakers will face. Many people fear being judged when speaking English to native speakers, indicating exclusion and a sense of superiority among some native speakers. In short, this actuality does not seem to welcome non-native English speakers.

The most popular methods for reducing foreign accents involve listening and imitating, which establish a narrow standard for acceptable speech. In my opinion, the underlying premise of these steps is unacceptable: it not only rejects diversity, but instills a narrow definition of acceptable speech. It promotes assimilation, in a way that glorifies native speakers and mistakenly languishes one’s own culture and identity.

As a first-generation immigrant, I receive compliments for not having a noticeable accent. This suggests the possible exclusion I might experience if I did. And this type of praise recognizes my achievements in eradicating my ethnicity, culture, and diversity.

According to the data by American Community Survey released in October 2023, approximately 68 million people speak a language other than English at home. Of this population, 29.6 million are classified as having limited English proficiency, or LEP.

Discrimination against non-native speakers, or those who incorporate their accents into English speech, implies that 68 million people are expected to lose their sense of individuality. Despite the U.S. claiming to be a nation that embraces diversity, linguistic discrimination against people still persists on a daily basis. Racism, discrimination, and xenophobia—the darkest chapters of American history — remain.

Tenzil Fatima, a student at the University of Oklahoma, shared her realization with the OU Daily after being discriminated against and stigmatized for her accent that “People who are discriminating [against] international students or other people who are non-native speakers based on accent are very unethical because they’re expecting us to Americanize our accents, [which] equals going back in time and changing our background [and] nationality. ”

While the emphasis on effective communication is understandable, we must recognize that effective communication is based on mutual respect, which includes acceptance of differences and diversity. Rather than fostering genuine inclusion, apologies for language skills or accents only perpetuates an exclusionary and assimilating culture.

Despite the growing emphasis on diversity within educational settings, negative stereotypes against English as a Second Language students remain prevalent. Within a nation that champions diversity, the derogatory label of “illegal aliens” continues to be applied to individuals who are not proficient in English. These discrepancies essentially serve as a dissonance between DEI’s professed values and our tangible actions.

After all, in an inclusive DEI environment, people will never have to apologize for their varied English skills.