Article
“Thank You for Calling:” Accents and Authenticity on NBC’s Outsourced
Journal of Intercultural Communication Research
(2013)
Abstract
India’s turbulent and dynamic relationship with the English language stems from its colonial past. This project integrates linguistic hegemony, mimicry, and brown voice to examine discourses surrounding the creation and reception of fake Indian accents on the short-lived NBC series Outsourced. The first primetime sitcom to showcase a primarily South Asian cast, Outsourced featured British and American actors of Indian descent using fake Indian accents to portray call center workers. Critical Discourse Analysis reveals the influence of linguistic hegemony to delegitimize Indian English and thereby hinder linguistic cosmopolitanism.
Keywords
- Globalization,
- Accents,
- Linguistic Hegemony,
- Brown Voice,
- Call Centers,
- Mimicry
Disciplines
Publication Date
2013
DOI
10.1080/17475759.2013.799084
Publisher Statement
Taylor & Francis Online
Citation Information
Mary Grace Antony. "“Thank You for Calling:” Accents and Authenticity on NBC’s Outsourced" Journal of Intercultural Communication Research Vol. 42 Iss. 2 (2013) p. 192 - 213 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/marygrace-antony/11/