Accents in Black Panther: An Analysis of Wakandan Dialects and Influences

The use of accents in the film Black Panther has been a topic of discussion among viewers and critics alike. While some argue that the accents were inconsistent and poorly executed, others point out the deliberate choice to blend African linguistic features to create a sense of pan-African identity. In this article, we will explore the accented languages of the Black Panther universe, drawing from actual African languages to evoke a rich and diverse cultural experience.

Blending African Linguistic Features in Black Panther

When creating the language and accents for the fictional African nation of Wakanda, the Black Panther producers drew from a blend of Southern and Eastern African linguistic features. Specifically, some aspects of the characters' accents can be reminiscent of Xhosa and Zulu languages, which are both spoken in South Africa. The intention behind this approach was to evoke a strong sense of African identity and heritage while maintaining accessibility for a global audience.

According to Chadwick Boseman's interviews, the characters used a variety of African accents from across the continent, much like the film's dress and culture. This diversity aimed to strengthen the notion that Wakanda represents and draws from the entire continent. Additionally, each individual character was allowed to craft their own accent based on their own experience and roots. This freedom of creative choice led to a rich tapestry of linguistic expressions within the film.

Criticism and Context of Accents in Black Panther

One listener's perspective offers a critical viewpoint. Coming from Africa, they noted that the accents in the film did not ring true to their experiences. They described the accents as terrible and preferred the French versions, where there were no accents but the dialogue was in African French. This highlights the subjective nature of accents and the challenges in accurately representing diverse linguistic backgrounds in media.

During his The Daily Show interview, Trevor Noah mentioned that everyone in the film used a different African accent. This intentional approach was to emphasize the diversity within the African continent. However, the listener found the accents inconsistent, with some lines sounding more American than others. This inconsistency can be attributed to the fact that most of the actors were American, making it difficult to convincingly portray non-American accents consistently.

The Fictional Language of Wakanda and its Real-World Analogues

Although the fictional language of Wakanda is called "Wakandan," the actors used a variation of Xhosa, a Bantu click language from South Africa, in the film. While this choice aligns geographically with South Africa, it might not be the most accurate representation of Wakandan culture. The Xhosa language has distinct linguistic features that would not be in Wakandan.

The English accent of the characters was also inconsistent, both between actors and within scenes. The accent typically included features like rolled 'R,' which is not specific to any one African accent but could be indicative of a vaguely European or "foreign" accent. The overall speech pattern and tone of voice gave a broadly "African" impression, but it was not specific to any language or region, at least to the listener's experience.

One notable exception was Erik Stevens/Killmonger, who, as an Oakland-raised character, maintained an unambiguously "American" accent. This accent choice was deliberate and aligned with his character's background and identity, showing the producers' commitment to authenticity in diverse roles.

Conclusion

The accents in Black Panther were a complex mix of creative decisions and linguistic challenges. While they aimed to evoke a sense of pan-African identity, the inconsistency and difficulty of accurately representing diverse linguistic backgrounds highlight the complexities of linguistic representation in media. The producers' intentions were clear, and their efforts to create a rich and diverse cultural experience are commendable, even if the execution was not always perfect.

For viewers, the choice of accents in Black Panther serves as a reminder of the importance of linguistic accuracy and cultural representation in film and media. Future projects can learn from these experiences, striving for a balance between authenticity and accessibility.