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.

Details

Title: The Great Vowel Shift from Chaucer to Shakespeare. Changes in vowel pronunciation in English poetry from the Middle English to Early Modern English period
College: Free University of Berlin (Institut für Englische Philologie)
Course: History of English II: Historical Linguistics
Grade: 1,7
Author: Lucia Maea (Author)
Publication Year: 2018
Pages: 9
Catalog Number: V459039
ISBN (eBook): 9783668894310
ISBN (Book): 9783668894327
Language: English
Tags: Chaucer Shakespeare Middle English Early Modern English The Great Vowel Shift Vowel Pronunciation IPA Long Vowels Short Vowels Diphthongization Diphthongs

The Great Vowel Shift from Chaucer to Shakespeare. Changes in vowel pronunciation in English poetry from the Middle English to Early Modern English period

Details