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Non-binary speech, race, and non-normative gender: Sociolinguistic style beyond the binary

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2019, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Linguistics.
Non-binary speech is understudied in the realm of sociolinguistics. Previous studies on non-binary speech (Kirtley 2015; Gratton 2016; Jas 2018) suggest that non-binary speakers are able to make use of linguistic variables that have been tied to binary gender in novel ways, often dependent on social context and goals, though these studies are limited in scope, considering eight or fewer non-binary talkers in their studies. Research into sociolinguistic style (Eckert 2008; Campbell-Kibler 2011) emphasizes the ways that multiple linguistic and extralinguistic variables can be employed simultaneously to construct coherent styles, leaving room for speaker race to be included in the stylistic context (Pharao et al. 2014). Zimman’s (2017) study on transmasculine speakers showed that speakers can employ binary gendered linguistic variables in speech styles to position themselves towards or against normative binary gender. The current study considers how twenty non-binary speakers, stratified by sex assigned at birth and race, use /s/ and f0, variables which tied to gender in previous research, alongside clothing to construct non-binary gendered styles. Results further support that race is an important construct in understanding gendered speech, as Black non-binary speakers produce /s/ differently with respect to self-identified masculinity than do white non-binary speakers. Overall, non-binary speakers align with other speakers who position themselves with non-normative gender expressions through their use of /s/ and f0.
Kathryn Campbell-Kibler (Advisor)
Cynthia Clopper (Committee Member)
50 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Steele, A. J. (2019). Non-binary speech, race, and non-normative gender: Sociolinguistic style beyond the binary [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu157419067968368

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Steele, Ariana. Non-binary speech, race, and non-normative gender: Sociolinguistic style beyond the binary. 2019. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu157419067968368.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Steele, Ariana. "Non-binary speech, race, and non-normative gender: Sociolinguistic style beyond the binary." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2019. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu157419067968368

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)