What the voice tells us about relative safety in a space: The utilisation of speech strategies by gender non-comforming speakers

Filled

Supervisor: Chantal Gratton

Non-accademic partner: LGBT Foundation

Studentship start date: 01/10/2025

Application deadline: 20/01/2025

In daily life we adapt our behaviour to fit different social contexts, often tailoring how we sound to express who we are and our relationships, like speaking differently to grandparents vs. friends or at work vs. at home. Rather than explicitly stating how we feel in a space, we convey this information through the way we sound. Our voices play a critical role in conveying emotion, identity, and relationships.

Historically, research has focused on binary male/female vocal expression, treating these groups as homogenous. This overlooks the rich vocal diversity across and within individuals. More recent work highlights how queer speakers use their voices to express identity in non-normative ways. While sociolinguistic research has demonstrated a link between vocal pitch and queer identity expression, the role that spaces (and safety) play has been largely overlooked. For queer speakers, especially gender non-conformaing individuals, vocal modulation is an essential resource for navigating the often-hostile terrain of gender normativity in daily interactions. The scrutiny they face in certain spaces leads them to modify their behaviour to minimise hostility while maintaining a sense of authentic self. In these contexts, the voice becomes a vital tool for navigating identity challenges.

This study will examine how gender non-conforming speakers modulate their voices—including vocal pitch, vocal range (highs and lows), and prosody (melodic or monotonous)—to adapt to different spaces, with particular attention to the relative safety of the interactional context. To do so it will analyse recordings of speakers across several settings, changing both their interlocutors and physical locations. This approach will shed light on the unique linguistic strategies queer individuals use to navigate challenging spaces and maintain authenticity. Insights from this study are crucial for advancing sociolinguistic theories on how gender identity and a sense of security influence phonetic variation.

This research has implications beyond academia. Its insights can inform inclusive policies and practices in education, voice therapy, mental health and professional settings, creating spaces where individuals can freely express their identities. This work contributes to the larger goal of fostering inclusivity and understanding across society.

The LGBT Foundation will collaborate on this project, providing advisory and practical support to shape the project’s focus and implement actionable impact. Together, we aim to:

  • Expand research on queer vocal expression: Address the limited work on non-binary and queer voices, moving beyond traditional male/female binaries.
  • Contribute to intersectional research on identity: Highlight the interplay of gender, emotional safety and adaptive language practices.
  • Support inclusive practices in voice therapy and mental health: Apply insights to better support for gender non-conforming individuals, focusing on voice modulation and identity.

How to apply: