Scientists Study Taylor Swift's Interview Evolution to Track Dialect Changes

Day-one fans of Taylor Swift are aware of her journey from a country singer to a pop superstar, and researchers have noted changes in her dialect over the years.

Two researchers from the University of Minnesota, Miski Mohamed and Matthew Winn, published a study in The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. They analyzed Swift's dialect evolution by studying her interviews and media appearances throughout her career.

Born in Pennsylvania in 1989, Swift moved to Tennessee at age 13 to pursue a career in country music. She achieved success with her country pop album "Fearless" in 2008.

Swift's transition to mainstream pop was evident in her 2012 album "Red," followed by her move to New York in 2014 and the release of her pop album "1989."

The researchers analyzed Swift's accent changes between 2008 and 2019 by studying interviews linked to specific albums recorded in Nashville, Philadelphia, and New York City.

They observed changes in how Swift pronounced vowels, indicating shifts in her dialect influenced by her locations. For example, her pronunciation of the /aɪ/ vowel showed variations between her time in Nashville and New York.

Swift's pitch was notably lower during her New York era, coinciding with her increased involvement in social issues and activism.

While the study sheds light on Swift's dialect adaptation, it acknowledges that factors beyond geography, such as social communities and career influences, can also impact how a person's speech evolves.

The study highlights the adaptability of accents based on identity, social context, audience perception, and the message being conveyed, as seen in Swift's vocal changes over the years.