Some families wonder what accents are best when choosing the person who will be teaching a foreign language to their children. For English-speaking Au Pairs, should she be American or British, for French-speaking Au Pairs, is a Parisian or South of France accent better?
Is this your case? Well, we are here to clear up your doubts. What is crucial to know is that the accent of your Au Pair does not matter much when it comes to teaching your children a new language. In fact, we can assure you that there is no such thing as a better accent in any language. Read on to learn more.
What is an accent?
To address this topic, we are going to use linguistics as our main scientific reference. This science, which studies human language, its structure and variation, uses the word “dialect” (accent) to refer to the patterns of language use. When we speak of “dialect” or “accent” we refer to the intonation, rhythm, and other patterns that differentiate one way of speaking from another, among speakers of the same language.
Through these pronunciation marks, accents can give us information not only about speakers' geographic origin, but also about their culture, level of formal education, ethnicity, and even their gender or approximate age. In short, accents are a reflection of the heterogeneity of communities.
Is there one accent better than another?
The answer for linguistics is a resounding no. People may form an idea of what their favorite accent is, but this opinion has more to do with biases or positive associations with other speakers than with their dialect itself. Variations in vocabulary and pronunciation of a language are arbitrary, and by themselves cannot be classified as good or bad.
Although there are standard or prestige dialects, they hold this status not because they are inherently the best, but because they are associated with powerful and influential groups. In the case of English, for example, accents associated with historically “wealthier” or “powerful” countries are the ones commonly classified as “correct”. This belief is so deep-rooted that it sometimes leads to undervaluing the numerous other native English accents that exist around the world.
People with regional accents, or who belong to historically marginalized groups, tend to suffer the consequences of the stigmatization of their dialect, but this is a mistake. If we can understand what they are saying, then they are speaking just fine. Treating their accent as "wrong" is both unfair and inappropriate, and reveals a great misunderstanding of how languages work.
Should we then accept that people speak however they want?
Yes, and no. There is nothing necessarily wrong with employing a standard accent. In writing, for example, sticking to the rules makes our text easier to understand no matter who reads it. But, beware, languages are shaped by their speakers, not by grammar books. These books are there to serve as a reference, to help us express ourselves clearly and to describe the rules, not to impose them.
As for the use of accents that are not part of the “prestige” variety, we have already said it: as long as there is mutual intelligibility, and the message reaches the other speaker, one is using their language appropriately. Therefore, there is no reason to affirm that this person speaks “poorly”, just because they do not have a textbook accent. On the contrary, to accept these varieties as valid is to embrace multiculturalism, otherness, and diversity. This is precisely what the Au Pair program promotes.
In spite of everything, I feel that it would be better for my son to have a native teacher (with a “prestigious” accent)
Understandably, you want your child to learn the “most accepted” variety of a language. However, we would ask you to keep something in mind: As native speakers we learn from childhood to intuitively use the vocabulary, pronunciation and grammatical rules of a language until we become experts at using it. However, this does not automatically make us good language teachers.
When hiring an Au Pair, it is in your child's best interest to look at the candidate's language teaching experience. It is not necessary to be a native speaker to be a great teacher. What is important is to have acquired a good command of the language, to have trained sufficiently in the rules, and to be able to adapt to the age and needs of your child.
Having someone who is fluent in the language you want your child to learn, and who is experienced and willing to teach it, is enough of an advantage.
Your child will also speak with a foreign accent
Living with people who speak similarly to us can make us forget this, but we all have an accent. Is your accent the “prestigious” one where you live? Maybe it is, and maybe that's why you've never encountered any problems with stigmatization of your dialect.
However, when we communicate in a second language, the process of “getting rid of” our native accent can take a long time. For some people, it is even impossible. This means that while learning a new language, your child will communicate with an accent influenced by her mother tongue. What if she learns from the beginning that all accents are valid and that her way of speaking, rather than being a disadvantage, reflects her culture and identity? We assure you that this will give her greater confidence when practicing her second language and will allow her to overcome prejudices from an early age.
Have you already noticed that our platform counts with Au Pairs from all over the world? Open your doors to one of them. Live the experience of sharing your culture, and learn about a different one. Differences make us more interesting, and we assure you that regardless of their accent or nationality, hosting an Au Pair can be an enriching experience for you and your family. Start looking for an Au Pair now.
