Dataset abstract

Dataset includes annotated corpus data from live lyrical performances of 16 blues artists from 2 periods (1960s and 2010s) and from 2 social groups (African American and non-African American). Both native and non-native blues singers are included. Five phonological forms of African American English [AAE] were selected as variables using the relevant literature: (1) /aɪ/ monophthongization, (2) final /-t/ and (3) /-d/ deletion, (4) alveolar nasal /n/ in ultimas, and (5) deletion of post-vocalic, word-final /-r/. Each observation of these forms was annotated as either AAE-realization or non-AAE-realization. The lexeme in which the form occurs is annotated as well as the performing artist and the song in which the observation occurs. The full lyrics itself are not included in the dataset.

Article abstract

Third wave variationist scholars argue that speakers dynamically position themselves in different social categories through stylistic practices and that patterns of variation can serve as resources in the construction of their identities (Bucholtz, 2010; Bucholtz & Hall, 2005; Eckert, 2012; Irvine, 2002). Recent research on linguistic variation in staged performances has shown how artists use linguistic devices to index social meaning and construct different personas (Bell, 2011; Bell & Gibson, 2011; Bucholtz & Lopez, 2011; Coupland, 2011; Gibson, 2010; Johnstone, 2011). The present study empirically investigates the use of African American English [AAE] forms in the lyrical language use of blues artists from different ethnically-defined groups and time periods. The use of five forms of AAE is examined in live performed music by 16 blues artists belonging to four ethnic backgrounds: 1960s African American [AA], 2010s AA, 2010s non-African American [non-AA] US-based, and 2010s non-AA non-US-based. Mixed effects logistic regression analysis finds no statistically significant correlation between the ethnically-defined groups and variant use, and indicates that blues artists are highly probable to realize the AAE specific variant of all variables, regardless of ethnic background. Some minor differences are additionally observed between the realization of the individual phonetic forms. These results highlight the relevance of staged performance data in sociolinguistic inquiries and shed light on the artistic use of aspects of African American English by non-members of the African American community.

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