The Great Vowel Shift terms the change of sounds of long vowels in the English language within the period from 1400 to 1700. This period can also be referred to as the change from Middle English, hereafter ME, to Early Modern English, hereafter EModE. This paper investigates the very basic and commonly agreed on changes of the vowel system from ME to EModE. Additionally, works of Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare who serve as representatives for each period are being examined in order to proof the previously stated sound changes by means of English literature.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Great Vowel Shift: features and changes
- 3.1 Middle English vowel pronunciation
- 3.2 Early Modern English vowel pronunciation
- 4. Vowels in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
- 5. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper investigates the Great Vowel Shift (GVS), a significant sound change in English long vowels between 1400 and 1700. It examines the commonly agreed-upon changes in the vowel system from Middle English (ME) to Early Modern English (EModE), using the works of Chaucer and Shakespeare as illustrative examples. The analysis aims to demonstrate these sound changes through literary evidence.
- The Great Vowel Shift and its characteristics
- Comparison of Middle English and Early Modern English vowel pronunciations
- Analysis of vowel changes in Chaucer's and Shakespeare's works
- Different theories explaining the GVS (push chain vs. drag chain)
- The evolution of vowel length and spelling in English
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter defines the Great Vowel Shift (GVS) as the significant sound change affecting long vowels in English between 1400 and 1700, marking the transition from Middle English (ME) to Early Modern English (EModE). The chapter establishes the scope of the paper, focusing on widely accepted changes in the vowel system and using the works of Chaucer and Shakespeare to demonstrate these changes through literary analysis.
2. The Great Vowel Shift: features and changes: This chapter delves into the GVS, exploring competing theories explaining the shift—the push chain and drag chain theories. It presents Kiparsky's three-stage model of the GVS, encompassing raising, tensing, and a final raising shift with merger. The chapter also acknowledges the role of vowel lengthening and shortening throughout English history and explains the existence of words with identical spellings but differing vowel pronunciations (e.g., child/children), attributing them to sporadic shortenings at various times.
3.1 Middle English vowel pronunciation: This section focuses on the pronunciation of vowels in Middle English (ME), spanning 1150-1500. It discusses Chaucer's language as representative of late 14th-century London English and highlights the importance of rhyming verse in reconstructing ME pronunciation. The chapter details the changes in vowel spelling, noting the introduction of double vowels and the replacement of the OE letter æ with a/e. It contrasts ME vowel pronunciation with Present Day English (PDE), outlining the "continental values" of ME vowels and detailing the system of stressed monophthongs (long and short), unstressed syllables, and diphthongs.
3.2 Early Modern English vowel pronunciation: This section explores Early Modern English (EModE) vowel pronunciation (1500-1700), using Shakespeare as a prominent example of the era's literary output. It notes the parallel between ME and EModE vowel systems in terms of unstressed syllables, long and short vowels, and diphthongs. However, it highlights the significant redistribution of long vowels in the lexicon during the GVS, providing a comparison between ME and EModE vowel systems emphasizing the changes brought about by the GVS.
Keywords
Great Vowel Shift, Middle English, Early Modern English, vowel pronunciation, Chaucer, Shakespeare, push chain, drag chain, historical linguistics, English language evolution, long vowels, diphthongs.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper investigates the Great Vowel Shift (GVS), a significant sound change in English long vowels that occurred between 1400 and 1700. It examines the changes in the vowel system from Middle English (ME) to Early Modern English (EModE).
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores the characteristics of the Great Vowel Shift, compares Middle English and Early Modern English vowel pronunciations, analyzes vowel changes in the works of Chaucer and Shakespeare, examines competing theories explaining the GVS (push chain vs. drag chain), and discusses the evolution of vowel length and spelling in English.
What sources are used to illustrate the Great Vowel Shift?
The paper uses the works of Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare as illustrative examples to demonstrate the sound changes that occurred during the Great Vowel Shift. Chaucer's works represent late 14th-century London English, while Shakespeare's exemplify Early Modern English.
What are the competing theories explaining the Great Vowel Shift?
The paper discusses the "push chain" and "drag chain" theories as competing explanations for the Great Vowel Shift. It also mentions Kiparsky's three-stage model, which encompasses raising, tensing, and a final raising shift with merger.
How does the paper explain words with identical spellings but different vowel pronunciations (e.g., child/children)?
The paper attributes such discrepancies to sporadic shortenings of vowels that occurred at various times throughout English history.
What is covered in the chapter on Middle English vowel pronunciation?
This chapter focuses on the pronunciation of vowels in Middle English (1150-1500), using Chaucer's language as a representative example. It details changes in vowel spelling, contrasts ME vowel pronunciation with Present Day English, and describes the system of stressed monophthongs, unstressed syllables, and diphthongs.
What is covered in the chapter on Early Modern English vowel pronunciation?
This chapter explores Early Modern English (1500-1700) vowel pronunciation, using Shakespeare as a key example. It compares and contrasts the ME and EModE vowel systems, highlighting the significant redistribution of long vowels during the GVS.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include: Great Vowel Shift, Middle English, Early Modern English, vowel pronunciation, Chaucer, Shakespeare, push chain, drag chain, historical linguistics, English language evolution, long vowels, diphthongs.
What is the overall objective of this paper?
The overall objective is to demonstrate the sound changes of the Great Vowel Shift through a literary analysis of the works of Chaucer and Shakespeare, providing a clear and comprehensive understanding of this significant linguistic event.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured with an introduction, a chapter dedicated to the Great Vowel Shift itself, sections on Middle and Early Modern English pronunciation, a conclusion, and a list of keywords. It also includes a table of contents and chapter summaries.
- Quote paper
- Lucia Maea (Author), 2018, The Great Vowel Shift from Chaucer to Shakespeare. Changes in vowel pronunciation in English poetry from the Middle English to Early Modern English period, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/459039
