Are You Ashamed of Your Accent? The Truth About Language Insecurity

I wasn't always self conscious about my accent when I was a younger student in the British system. I used to see other students joining international schools, and changing accents before I entered a new high school. I heard their accents would change when they moved schools, but I never understood whether or not it was legitimate. I remember my former schoolmates would speculate and show spite for anyone who sounded different.

And then I moved schools to a predominantly international setting. The multiculturalism was very pronounced. It took me a while to get used to being in a secular setup, but I eventually adapted and assimilated to my environment. I continued my further studies in England but due to unforeseen circumstances, I returned to Kenya for my bachelor's degree to pursue my master's elsewhere if given the chance.

Upon returning to Kenya, I noticed something strange. People were really affected by how different I sounded, apparently to the ordinary Kenyan. For some reason, it really irks people here when you speak English properly and grammatically. That was when I realised that internalised racism is real. 

Internalised racism, from both a psychological and philosophical perspective, operates on multiple levels—self-perception, social identity, and societal structures. It manifests when individuals from historically marginalised racial groups absorb negative stereotypes or hierarchies about their own people, often leading to self-alienation or attempts to align with dominant racial groups.

These people seem to think that I'm faking it and it's been that way since I was an adolescent. I'm nearing middle adulthood, but it irks them to no end. Those who do know me know my authenticity. Those that I'm new to seem to think I have a point to prove, yet I live for myself and to please my creator. Granted, some Kenyans have fake accents and they think they do have a point to prove. This is what I wanted to write about today because this is something that's always irked me as well. 

Most Kenyans associate English proficiency with sophistication, and they associate Swahili with poverty. These are just languages at the end of the day, used for communication. But what is is that compels Kenyans to use fake accents in the first place? 

The Psychology of Fake Accents and Internalised Racism

Some black Africans adopt fake Western accents as a form of social camouflage or aspirational identity. Here’s why:

1. Social Mobility and Perceived Status – Accents are linked to intelligence, sophistication, and class in many societies. Those who feel insecure about their African identity may consciously or unconsciously adopt Western accents to gain social capital. They believe it increases their acceptability in elite circles or among white people.

2. Colonial Hangover and Language Hierarchies – Due to colonial histories, many Africans have been socialised to see Western linguistic traits as superior. The preference for British English, for example, is deeply embedded in many former British colonies, making some individuals feel that a Western accent grants them more legitimacy.

3. Ingroup Policing and Cultural Anxiety – Many Africans are raised with a sense of cultural inferiority regarding their own languages and accents. Some develop hyperawareness of how they sound and adopt fake accents as a defensive mechanism against mockery or discrimination.

4. Cognitive Dissonance and Self-Deception – Some individuals know their accents are fake, yet insist on them because acknowledging the inauthenticity would create cognitive dissonance—they would have to confront the reality of why they feel the need to sound different.

Why Are People Offended by Authentic Westernised Accents?

Now, regarding my experience, there’s an interesting paradox: when a black African is genuinely socialised in a Western linguistic environment and acquires an authentic Western accent, some Africans still react negatively. Here’s why:

1. Cultural Suspicion and Identity Policing – Many people struggle to distinguish between someone who naturally picked up an accent and someone faking it. As a result, they lump both groups together and assume the person is trying to distance themselves from their African roots.

2. Insecurity and Projection – When someone speaks English fluently with a non-African accent, it triggers insecurities in those who feel inadequate in English. They may project their frustrations onto the speaker by assuming arrogance or pretentiousness.

3. Historical Trauma and Anti-Elitism – The association between English proficiency and colonial privilege means that those who speak “too well” may be seen as representing an oppressive class, even if they had no choice in developing their accent.

4. Communal Identity Expectations – In many African societies, shared cultural markers—such as language, accent, and mannerisms—are important for belonging. When someone deviates, they may be perceived as an outsider, even if they are still African.

Conclusion