Notes

Sub Theme 1: LINGUISTIC BIAS

This theme, Linguistic bias plays a significant role in how individuals are treated based on their speech patterns. This can lead to unfair treatment, lower self-esteem, and limited opportunities. In order to create a fair and inclusive society, it is crucial to comprehend the concept of linguistic bias and take steps to address it.
Linguistic bias refers to the tendency to judge individuals based on their language use, accent, or dialect

This is connected to the statements of particpant # 5 and 6
Transcription:
"mas pinipili po kasi nila yung ano na yung mas ... ano po ... pinipili nila yung Tagalog.", "nag-volunteer po ako na sinabi po huwag na daw ako kasi ganun nga po yung pronunciation ko ng English."

Linguistic bias can have far-reaching consequences on individuals' lives, affecting their self-esteem, opportunities, and overall well-being. It is our collective responsibility to challenge and dismantle these biases in order to create a more equitable world.


It is vital to understand linguistic bias because it governs the way people are handled because of their speech; this can result in unfair treatment and can decrease self-confidence and opportunities.
The way people can be stopped from getting involved and expressing themselves freely will portray that. By describing what we mean by that as well as understanding linguistic bias, one is able to contribute in making an environment that is unbiased and inclusive, therefore giving every person an opportunity to speak out.
To address linguistic bias and promote positive self-perception, several strategies can be used. Initiatives such as building self-esteem through affirmations and positive reinforcement, providing mentorship or support groups for individuals who have experienced language discrimination, offering training in communication skills to confidently navigate linguistic bias, and promote diverse representation in media and education to affirm that different linguistic backgrounds and identities matter. Understanding and implementing these strategies is an important step toward creating inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and empowered.


Sub Theme 1: LINGUISTIC BIAS
This theme, Linguistic Bias, according to Boring (2023), refers to a specific type of bias related to cultural, linguistic, and social norms that associate meaning with the language used by an individual or group. In linguistic bias, linguistic ability can be linked to specific characteristics such as intelligence, education, and attractiveness.

Since "linguistic bias" can refer to different phenomena, remembering this diversity and identifying the relevant phenomenon up front will help avoid unreasonable conclusions (Peters, 2023).

Understanding linguistic bias is important because it affects how people are treated based on their speech. This can lead to unfair treatment and affect confidence and opportunities.For instance, as shared by Participant 6, "nag-volunteer po ako na sinabi po huwag na daw ako kasi ganun nga po yung pronunciation ko ng English." Participant 5 also mentioned, "mas pinipili po kasi nila yung ano na yung mas ... ano po ... pinipili nila yung Tagalog."

It describes how individuals can be prevented from participating and expressing themselves freely. By being aware of linguistic bias and defining what we mean, we can help create a fair and inclusive environment where everyone's voice is valued.

Linguistic discrimination leads to many adverse outcomes, such as lower academic performance among students, disruptive social interactions, and mental health issues (Page, 2023). Individuals who are ridiculed for their points may be reluctant to speak up, engage in discussions, or express their views for fear of ridicule (Tariq, 2023). Experiencing language discrimination often causes insecurity, resulting in social conflicts, feelings of isolation, shame, and anxiety when speaking English (Dovchin, 2020). It also includes the belief that non-native speakers have less language ability simply because of their status as non-native speakers (Park, 2022). Studies have uncovered a cognitive mechanism that causes us to distrust people who sound different. Speaking with a non-native accent reduces "cognitive fluency," the ease with which the brain processes stimuli. Because people prefer things that are easier to process, they tend to doubt the accuracy and legitimacy of what they hear in a different accent (Shenoy, 2020).

To address linguistic bias and promote positive self-perception, several strategies can be used. Initiatives such as building self-esteem through affirmations and positive reinforcement, providing mentorship or support groups for individuals who have experienced language discrimination, offering training in communication skills to confidently navigate linguistic bias, and promote diverse representation in media and education to affirm that different linguistic backgrounds and identities matter. Understanding and implementing these strategies is an important step toward creating inclusive environments where everyone feels valued and empowered.