Linguistic Gatekeeping: How English Proficiency Requirements Exclude Global Talent
Keywords:
linguistic gatekeeping, English proficiency, talent exclusion, hiring bias, global workforce, language requirementsAbstract
This study examines linguistic gatekeeping: how english proficiency requirements exclude global talent through a quantitative investigation of 100 HR professionals and 100 non-native English speaking job candidates across multinational corporations. Grounded in Linguistic Capital Theory (Bourdieu, 1991) + Institutional Discrimination Framework, the research investigates the linguistic mechanisms underlying this phenomenon. 62% of HR professionals admitted that English proficiency requirements exceeded actual job communication needs. Non-native speakers with equivalent qualifications received 34% fewer callbacks when applications contained minor grammatical errors. IELTS/TOEFL score requirements filtered out 28% of technically qualified candidates. Accent bias in phone screening reduced interview advancement by 38% for non-native speakers. Regression: proficiency-job mismatch (Beta=0.36), accent bias (Beta=0.28), standardized test reliance (Beta=0.24) explained 42% of variance in talent exclusion rates. Skills-based assessments reduced gatekeeping effects by 44%. The findings provide theoretical contributions and practical implications for business communication, organizational policy, and professional practice.
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