Academics from the University of Chester have analysed how Taylor Swift's accent changes when she performs different musical genres. Dr Helen West, Senior Lecturer in English language and linguistics, and English graduate Esther Humphries compared Swift's earlier and later singing styles, presenting their findings at a Swiftposium academic conference.
The study found that Swift's accent shifts between Southern American English in her earlier country music and Northern American English in her pop performances. However, the shift was more subtle than expected, with Swift using less perceptible Southern forms in her country songs rather than highly recognisable features.
Miss Humphries suggested the accent changes may indicate a form of bilingualism with linguistic awareness, influenced by factors such as Swift's move to Nashville at age 14 and social meanings associated with 'countryness', youth culture, and lack of pretension.
The research was the only paper focused on this aspect of Swift's accent and was among 130 selected from over 400 submissions for the Swiftposium conference at the University of Melbourne.
