Even in France—where people are snobs about language—voters actually like politicians more if they have a thick regional accent.
Most sociological research suggests that non-standard accents hurt your career and perceived intelligence. This large-scale experiment found that French voters actually find regional accents more authentic and likeable, debunking the idea that politicians must hide their origins to win.
“Regional” accents in politics: An obstacle or an advantage for candidates? Experimental evidence from France
SocArXiv · aqx7j_v1
Evidence from a wide variety of countries suggests that language discrimination is anything but a marginal phenomenon. While many studies have identified the challenges faced by citizens who do not speak in accordance with the prevailing norm in the workplace, the obstacles that they may encounter when they run for political office have received far less attention. Does having a “non-standard” accent constitute a disadvantage in politics? Can it serve to appeal to specific electorates? This arti