Psychologist reveals the true meaning behind Taylor Swift's ever-changing accent
Taylor Swift's accent has evolved over the years along with her music, according to a new study.
And now, a top psychologist has revealed why the chart-topping singer might have changed her dialect.
Scientists from the University of Minnesota went about analyzing more than 1,400 vowel sounds made by Swift during interviews, and they found that her talking accent shifted between when living in Nashville, when she moved back home to Pennsylvania, and when she relocated to New York City.
Dr. Rachel Toles, a licensed clinical psychologist based out of California, told Daily Mail that Swift could have intentionally changed her accent to better connect with fans.
She explained: 'Accents are a signal of belonging.
'By sounding more Southern in Nashville, she may have blended more naturally into the country music community, which would make her seem relatable to fans in that space.
'When someone sounds like us, it creates familiarity and trust.
'Shared patterns of speech can signal shared identity, and that effect helps strengthen the bond between an artist and their audience.'
Taylor Swift's accent has evolved over the years along with her music, a new study has revealed. And now, top psychologists have revealed why the chart-topping singer might have changed her dialect
The researcher's analysis revealed how Swift adopted features of a Southern accent when she lived in Nashville.
For example, in early interviews, she would pronounce 'ride' more like 'rod', and 'two' more like 'tee-you'.
However, when she moved back to Philadelphia, these features all but disappeared.
Dr Toles noted that it was difficult to say if Swift consciously changed her accent or did so unintentionally without guidance from a coach.
She added: 'People often adapt their speech patterns unconsciously when immersed in a community.
'At the same time, performers sometimes lean into those shifts more deliberately. Both are possible, but we can't know her intention for certain.'
In the recent study, the researchers also found that Swift's talking voice underwent a 'second major shift' when she moved to New York City in the spring of 2014 to work on her album 1989 and she lowered the pitch of her voice.
They said: 'This was the time in her career when she became more well-known for speaking up on issues of social change and feminism, as well as musicians' rights.
Scientists from the from the University of Minnesota went about analyzing more than over 1,400 vowel sounds made by Swift during interviews and they found that her accent shifted between when living in Nashville, when she moved back home to Pennsylvania , and when she relocated to New York City
'Sometimes people with a lower pitch are perceived as a voice of authority, and it is possible that she was making use of that tendency to ensure her message was received.'
Dr Toles agrees with the scientists.
She said: 'Pitch carries social meaning. A higher pitch can make someone come across as more youthful, approachable, or even vulnerable, while a lower pitch often conveys authority, confidence, and maturity.
'People unconsciously associate pitch with personality traits, so shifting it - even slightly - can influence how others respond.'
For those who are looking to follow in Swift's footsteps and alter their accent to fit in, Canadian registered psychotherapist Dayana Romero says it's 'more complex than just mimicking sounds'.
She told this website: 'It's a full-body, brain process that involves training your mouth and ears.
'The steps outlined in the article, auditory immersion, physical practice, studying vowel sounds, exaggeration with feedback, and consistent practice are all crucial.
'It's like learning a new instrument, where you build muscle memory through repetition to make it sound natural and effortless.
'It's learning to pronounce certain words out of your normal speech or learning to interject words from your normal customs.
'For example, the word 'coffee' will be said/sound different in New York vs in Boston. It's not uncommon for speech coaches to be involved in this process for artists.'
Romero said the findings of the new study - published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America - are just 'another brilliant example of Swift's larger strategy of building a strong, loyal connection with her fans.'
She added: 'The true talent of an artist is to morph over time to avoid becoming irrelevant.
'Swift's talent for connecting with her audience is well-documented. She's a master of personal storytelling through her lyrics, which creates a deep, emotional bond with listeners.
'This new study makes you wonder, what other subtle changes might she have made over the years that have gone unnoticed.'
