Study Finds Cartoon Villain Accents May Shape Children’s Biases

Canadian researchers say children may absorb language bias from animated films and TV shows that use foreignaccented English for villains. A University of Toronto study examined more than 100 popular children’s programs and films, then tested children and parents in the Greater Toronto Area. The researchers found that nonstandard accents were often linked to negative characters, and both children and adults were more likely to associate foreign accents with villains. The study also suggests these preferences strengthen with age. Researchers said children as young as three may begin showing these biases, and older children in the experiments were more likely to connect foreign accents with scoundrels. The authors say more positive and varied accent representation could help reduce those associations.