| Using the data collected from 223 respondents, this study examined American language attitudes towards the four major accents of South African English (SAfE) and several of their sub-varieties--White South African English (cultivated, general, and broad/Afrikaans); Black South African English (acrolect and mesolect); Indian South African English; and Cape Flats English. Using an online audio-based verbal-guise technique survey, this study investigated the perceived extent and effect, similarity, foreign accent identification, and employment probability towards the seven varieties of SAfE in hypothetical employment scenario.;The results suggest that SAfE accents are perceived to possess positive language personality traits to an American listener; however, American respondents do perceive specific SAfE-accented varieties to be more similar to their own accent, and superior and more dynamic in relation to other SAfE-accented speakers. Additionally, the results demonstrate that American respondents generally identify a SAfE accent as foreign-accented speaker, yet, they do not correctly identify the speaker's country of origin.;Furthermore, the results of the study indicate that having a particular SAfE accent, even if it is misidentified, could potentially serve as a basis for possible stereotyping and prejudice.;Keywords: Accents, Employment, Language Attitudes, Prejudice, South African English (SAfE), Stereotypes. |
