Oklahoma voices in the workplace: Regional dialects and their effects on employability
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of usage of two Southern speech features, the monophthongization of /aI/ and the pin-pen merger, on employability. Additionally, overall attitudes of employers were assessed toward Southern speech, and their own dialectical patterns were analyzed. Results indicate a clear preference for speakers with diphthongal /aI/, correlating them to a higher degree with traits like intelligence and economic advantage. The pin-pen merger produced inconsistent results in regards to preference. No participants used monophthongal /aI/ themselves, though the pin-pen merger was documented in three participants. Overall attitudes revealed associations between Southern speech and reduced “efficiency” due to characterizations like “slow rate” and “drawl.” Overall, it seems likely that monophthongal /aI/ is a particularly salient Southern speech feature which is likely to impact employer perceptions of the potential candidate and negatively affect employability. Due to the inconclusive nature of the responses to the pin-pen merger, it seems less likely to have an impact on employability.