Long-Vowel Shifts in English, c.1050-1700: Evidence from Spelling

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Long-Vowel Shifts in English, c.1050-1700: Evidence from Spelling
Authors and Contributors      By (author) Gjertrud Flermoen Stenbrenden
SeriesStudies in English Language
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:360
Dimensions(mm): Height 228,Width 152
Category/GenreHistorical and comparative linguistics
Phonetics and phonology
ISBN/Barcode 9781107677517
ClassificationsDewey:427.02
Audience
Professional & Vocational
Illustrations 75 Tables, black and white; 3 Line drawings, black and white

Publishing Details

Publisher Cambridge University Press
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publication Date 24 January 2019
Publication Country United Kingdom

Description

The English language has undergone many sound changes in its long history. Some of these changes had a profound effect on the pronunciation of the language. A number of these significant instances of language evolution are generally grouped together and termed the 'Great Vowel Shift'. These changes are generally considered to be unrelated to other, similar long-vowel changes taking place a little earlier. This book assesses an extensive range of irregular Middle English spellings for all these changes, with a view to identifying the real course of events: the dates, the chronology, and the dialects that stand out as being innovative. Using empirical evidence to offer a fresh perspective and drawing new, convincing conclusions, Stenbrenden offers an interpretation of the history of the English language which may change our view of sound change completely.

Author Biography

Gjertrud Flermoen Stenbrenden is Associate Professor of English Language at Universitetet i Oslo.