International Journal of Language & Linguistics

Children’s and Young Adults’ Judgment of Native-accented and Foreign-accented Filipino Speakers
Fhadzralyn L. Aidil-Karanain, Ph.D.

Abstract
This study conducted two experiments to determine Tausug Children’s and Young Adults’ language judgment on native- accented and foreign- accented Filipino speakers and if age affects the participants’ judgment. In experiment one, both groups chose the native accented speakers over foreign-accented speakers. Age affected their choices. Young adults better identified and had higher preference for native speakers than children. In experiment 2, age did not affect the participants’ judgment. The findings proved participants take behavioral information rather than linguistic group affiliation information and accent. They all chose the nice foreign-- accented speakers. It can be concluded that age did not affect the participants’ judgment. Both groups acknowledged the importance of Filipino as a national language and an official language, they were quick in discerning one’s group belongingness through accent, yet this did not contribute to their choices across trials since they consistently preferred nice foreign-accented Filipino speakers (Tausug).

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