What Is the ‘Standard’ Accent? Italian Learners’ Views on English Norms and Varieties

This study examines how Italian secondary school learners conceptualize a “standard” English accent and the sociolinguistic biases shaping their evaluations. Using survey data, it investigates how students define “standard English,” whether perceptions vary by learner characteristics, and how these perceptions relate to judgments about speech traits (e.g., intelligibility, correctness) and speaker qualities (e.g., competence, friendliness). The study also explores potential preference for familiar “inner-circle” varieties such as British or American English and possible bias against less familiar varieties. The findings aim to reveal underlying language ideologies and contribute to discussions on language attitudes, World Englishes, and more inclusive approaches to English language teaching.