< img src="https://edugist.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/FB_IMG_1775804609311.jpg"alt =""> A Professor of Sociophonetics at Ajayi Crowther University, Bolanle Olufumbi Sogunro, has alerted Nigerians versus ignoring their accents, stressing that pronunciation plays a critical function in shaping social and professional opportunities.
Speaking at the organization’s 28th Inaugural Lecture, titled “‘Shorsh’, ‘Sors’ or ‘Church’– Who Cares? Accents and Linguistic Capital in Nigeria,” Sogunro described pronunciation as more than simply a technical element of interaction, noting that it serves as an effective social asset.
According to her, people are often evaluated the moment they begin to speak, making accent and pronunciation essential factors in how they are perceived in society.
“Your pronunciation is a property, maximise it,” she cautioned, including that listeners instinctively make valuation about speakers based on how they sound.
The professor warned that indifference toward one’s accent might have consequences, consisting of lessened social worth and missed out on opportunities.
She further argued that linguistic expression, particularly pronunciation, works as a form of “linguistic capital” that can either open doors or limitation access in various spheres of life.
Sogunro advised Nigerians to pay closer attention to their speech patterns and invest in improving their pronunciation, emphasizing its significance in both personal advancement and wider societal interactions.