Is Imitating An Accent Racist? 23% Of Aussies Think So

Is Imitating An Accent Racist? 23% Of Aussies Think So

Imitating foreign accents has long been a part of mainstream comedy and wider society. But is it racist to do so?

New research from data analytics group YouGov has found that 23 per cent of Australians do believe it is racist to imitate a foreign accent.

The recent Black Lives Matter movement has caused many to reconsider what is and is not acceptable when it comes to racism.

In light of this, the YouGov study asked a nationally representative sample of Australians – including a significant proportion of Australians who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander – to explain what behaviours they do and don’t find racist.

The research revealed that the idea of impersonating an accent is one of the most divisive issues when it comes to racism in the modern day.

Half (50 per cent) of the wider population of Australia perceive such behaviour to be always/ usually racist, compared to almost six in ten (59 per cent) of Australians from an ethnic or religious minority background who express the same view.

More specifically, 23 per cent said imitating an accent would always be racist, while 27 per cent believed there could be some exceptions.

It also found that most people agree that direct racial slurs are a key sign of someone exhibiting racism, with 83 per cent of respondents confirming a racial slur would always or usually be racist.

The study also asked people about their attitudes towards languages other than English being spoken in public.

When asked if is racist to dislike people who speak languages other than English in public, nearly two thirds (65 per cent) of Australians believe it is always or usually racist, while 13 per cent say this would never be racist.

A similar proportion to Australians from an ethnic or minority background believe this to be usually or always racist (66 per cent), many of whom speak a language other than English at home – however, worryingly, four in ten (41 per cent) Australians from an ethnic or religious minority background say that they have experienced someone criticising their choice to speak a language other than English in public.

YouGov general manager in Australia Laura Robbie said the research reveals that racism is not always plainly apparent.

“The research indicates that whilst most Aussies are clear on what behaviours constitute racism, there are also some behaviours that are considered racist that they may not be aware of,” Robbie said.

“As the conversations sparked by the BLM protests in Australia continue, so do we continue to listen, research and learn.”

The behaviour which Australians seem most relaxed about include being less sexually attracted to people from some racial or ethnic backgrounds than others (i.e. sexual racism) – 26 per cent believe this to be always or usually racist. In contrast, a third (33 per cent) of Australians with an ethnic or religious minority background consider this to be racist.

 




Please login with linkedin to comment

racism yougov

Latest News

Revium Snags Peter Bauld From Deloitte Digital
  • Advertising

Revium Snags Peter Bauld From Deloitte Digital

Revium, a leading full-service digital and AI consultancy, has announced the appointment of Peter Bauld (lead image) as Executive General Manager. Revium is a full-service digital and AI consultancy with over 20 years of experience creating engaging digital experiences for leading organisations and their customers. Bauld joins Revium after an illustrious career spanning over two […]

Veridooh Snatches Prashand Menon From ScentreGroup
  • Advertising

Veridooh Snatches Prashand Menon From ScentreGroup

Out-of-home OOH) and digital media leader Prashand Menon (lead image) has joined OOH ad tech company Veridooh as group business director within NSW and QLD. Menon joins Veridooh from his most recent role as ScentreGroup’s group business director and brings with him more than 10 years of experience in Australian media. Previously, he held positions […]

Kat & Co Transforms Into THE WORLD OF Experiential Agency
  • Advertising

Kat & Co Transforms Into THE WORLD OF Experiential Agency

After more than twelve years of producing experiences for some of the world’s most innovative brands, including Hermes, Van Cleef & Arpels, Louis Vuitton, and Tiffany & Co, Kat & Co has quietly metamorphosed into THE WORLD OF. THE WORLD OF is an experiential agency at the juncture of culture, technology and the human condition. […]

SMG Studio Launches Risk: Global Domination X Dune Part Two
  • Campaigns

SMG Studio Launches Risk: Global Domination X Dune Part Two

Through a licensing agreement with Legendary Entertainment, SMG Studio inked the rights to adapt Dune: Part Two into a game based on Risk: Global Domination, Hasbro’s interactive board game. Inspired by Denis Villeneuve’s cinematic masterpiece, Dune: Part Two, this new digital adaptation, RISK: Global Domination X Dune: Part Two, is poised to captivate players from […]

QMS: Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year & Mardi Gras Were Boon For OOH Market
  • Marketing

QMS: Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year & Mardi Gras Were Boon For OOH Market

Taylor Swift, Lunar New Year and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival have had a dramatic impact on the number of people moving in and around Sydney over the past month, drawing big crowds into the heart of the city and its surrounding suburbs. New data from digital outdoor company QMS reveals a […]