Language Change in History + The Great Vowel Shift

What was the Great Vowel Shift and when were its primary effects

A major series of changes in the pronunciation of English vowels taking place mainly from 1400 - 1700

How were words like “path” pronounced in the South in the 1700s? How did that change?

With a short vowel sound like “pahth”, nowadays in accents such as Cockney and Estuary accents it has changed to “parth” with a long vowel.

How were words like “running” pronounced in the 1800s? How did this compare in the upper and middle classes?

Pronounced like “runnin’ ”, with no nasal quality. This was the same in both the upper and middle classes.

How has the “th” sound in words like “think” changed in modern times?

Words like “think” are pronounced like “fink” with an F sound in accents like Cockney and in America.

Why might this Great Vowel Shift have taken place?

• For ease of articulation (assimilation: handbag → hambag)

• Colonialism (interaction with other languages)

• Overt Prestige (changing your language to relate to current power structure e.g. queen’s english)

What is assimilation

Individual sounds changing when put together to cut corners in speaking e.g. handbag → hambag.

What is epenthesis

Adding sounds to words for easier pronunciation e.g. “hamster” → “hampster”

What is lenition

The weakening of a consonant e.g. glottal stops instead of ‘T’s

What is elision

The omission of sounds e.g. “cupboard” → “cuboard” or contractions e.g. “that is” → “that’s”

What is overt prestige

Changing your language to relate to the current power structure e.g. Queen’s English