Every language changes over time. Due to historical, political and social events, like population shifts or movements, a language develops and becomes versatile, as intralinguistic variations emerge between different regions and dialects.
One of the most important changes in the English language, which appeared especially in the south of England during the 15th to 18th centuries, was a Chain Shift, the so-called Great Vowel Shift.[INT1] A Chain Shift is “a change in the position of two phonemes in which one moves away from an original position that is occupied by the other.”(Labov 1994: 118)
The linguist William Labov classifies three principles, which are applicable to all the Chain Shifts:
Principle I: long vowels rise (as in the Great Vowel Shift)
Principle II: short vowels fall
Principle IIa: the nuclei of upgliding diphthongs fall
Principle III: back vowels move to the front
(Labov 1994:116)
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- History and Causes of the Great Vowel Shift
- Steps of the Great Vowel Shift
- Step 1: /i/ and /u:/ drop and become /ǝ1/ and /ǝu/.
- Step 2: /e:/ and /o:/ move up, becoming /i:/ and /u:/.
- Step 3: /a:/ moves forward to /æ/ and raises to /ɛ:/
- Step 4: /:/ moves to /e:/ and /oɔ:/ becomes /o:/.
- Step 5: /e:/ moves to /i:/.
- Step 6: /:/ moves to /e:/.
- Step 7: ǝ/ and /u/ drop to /ai/ and /aʊ/; /o:/ becomes /ǝʊ/.
- Exceptions and Irregularities
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper provides an overview of the Great Vowel Shift, a significant phonological change in the English language. It explores the historical context and potential causes of the shift, detailing its various stages and illustrating them with examples. The paper also addresses exceptions and irregularities within the shift. * The historical context and causes of the Great Vowel Shift. * The stages of the Great Vowel Shift and their chronological development. * Examples and illustrations of the vowel changes. * Exceptions and irregularities in the vowel shift. * The impact of the Great Vowel Shift on the English language.Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of language change, highlighting the Great Vowel Shift as a major example of a chain shift within the English language, particularly in Southern England between the 15th and 18th centuries. It introduces key concepts like chain shifts and the principles governing them, referencing the work of linguists Labov and Jespersen. The chapter also mentions John Hart's "An Orthographie" as a source of evidence for the shift. The introduction clearly lays the groundwork for the subsequent chapters, outlining the paper's scope and objectives. History and Causes of the Great Vowel Shift: This chapter delves into the historical backdrop of the Great Vowel Shift, connecting it to Geoffrey Chaucer's influence on standardizing Middle English and the subsequent divergence in pronunciation. It discusses the characteristics of Middle English, contrasting them with Modern English vowels to highlight the magnitude of the shift. The chapter explores the non-uniform nature of the shift across different regions, citing the northern dialects as an example where the changes were less pervasive. The causes of the shift are examined, with theories linking it to social mobility following the Black Death and the merging of various dialects within a developing London standard influencing the changes.Keywords
Great Vowel Shift, English language, phonology, chain shift, Middle English, Modern English, vowel changes, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, pronunciation, dialects, Geoffrey Chaucer, John Hart, Labov, Jespersen.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of the Great Vowel Shift
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the Great Vowel Shift, a significant phonological change in the English language. It aims to explore the historical context, causes, stages, and impact of this linguistic phenomenon, including exceptions and irregularities.
What topics are covered in this document?
The document covers the following key areas: the history and causes of the Great Vowel Shift; the seven stages of the shift with detailed explanations and examples; exceptions and irregularities in the shift; and the overall impact of the shift on the English language. It also includes an introduction and conclusion, and references relevant linguistic theories and historical figures.
What are the objectives of this paper?
The main objectives are to provide a clear understanding of the Great Vowel Shift, detailing its historical context, causes, stages, and examples. It aims to highlight the complexities of the shift, including its exceptions and irregularities, and to discuss its significance in shaping Modern English.
What are the key themes explored in the document?
Key themes include the historical context and causes of the Great Vowel Shift (linking it to events like the Black Death and the standardization of English), the chronological development of the shift's stages, illustrative examples of vowel changes, exceptions and irregularities, and the overall impact of the shift on the English language.
What are the stages of the Great Vowel Shift?
The document outlines seven stages of the Great Vowel Shift, each detailing specific vowel changes. These changes involved the movement and shifting of various vowel sounds, creating a chain reaction effect across the English vowel system.
What are some examples of the vowel changes during the Great Vowel Shift?
While the document doesn't provide specific word examples for each stage, it details the shifts of vowels such as /i/, /u/, /e/, /o/, /æ/, etc., showing how their pronunciation changed over time. The detailed description of each stage allows for the inference of these changes.
What are some exceptions and irregularities to the Great Vowel Shift?
The document acknowledges that the Great Vowel Shift wasn't uniform across all dialects. It mentions that Northern dialects, for instance, showed less pervasive changes compared to Southern England. Specific examples of irregular vowel changes or words that did not follow the general pattern are not explicitly listed.
Who are some of the key figures mentioned in relation to the Great Vowel Shift?
Key figures mentioned include Geoffrey Chaucer (whose influence on standardizing Middle English is discussed), John Hart (whose orthographic work provides evidence for the shift), and linguists Labov and Jespersen (whose theories on language change and chain shifts are referenced).
What is the historical context of the Great Vowel Shift?
The document connects the Great Vowel Shift to the historical context of late Middle English and early Modern English, linking it to social and linguistic developments such as the standardization of English, the impact of the Black Death on social mobility, and the merging of dialects in London.
What are the key terms associated with the Great Vowel Shift?
Key terms include Great Vowel Shift, English language, phonology, chain shift, Middle English, Modern English, vowel changes, historical linguistics, sociolinguistics, pronunciation, dialects, Geoffrey Chaucer, John Hart, Labov, and Jespersen.
- Quote paper
- Victoria Tutschka (Author), 2009, Great Vowel Shift, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/139444
