Imagine that you are on trial for a crime you did not commit. The jury decides you are guilty - not because of the strength of your case, but because of the way you speak.

Studies have shown that accents have a powerful effect on people's judgements of guilt or innocence in the courtroom, and can even determine the quality of medical care you receive, the jobs you get hired for, and the places you are allowed to live.

Guidance issued by Edinburgh University this week warned privileged students against "being snobs" towards their state-educated or less wealthy peers. Less privileged students are often treated as less intelligent or insulted, just because of their accents.

Our unconsciousNot conscious or aware. prejudiceAn idea about something, especially a group of people, that is not based on reality. towards certain accents runs deep even in popular culture. On the reality TV show Love Island, contestants with standard southern accents are less likely to face discrimination by audiences than those with stronger accents.

There is no agreement on what causes such discrimination. Experts think that the brain understands familiar accents more easily than unfamiliar ones.

Can we defeat linguistic discrimination?

Yes! Linguistic discrimination, like every other form of discrimination, is slowly declining.

No! Linguistic bias is all subconscious, and we are conditioned to feel it from birth. We are taught this prejudice in the media, on TV, in school and elsewhere.