Great Vowel Shift

Pronunciation change in English between 1350 and 1700

The Great Vowel Shift was a series of pronunciation changes in the vowels of the English language that took place primarily between 1400 and 1700 (the 15th century forming the transition period from Middle English to Early Modern English), beginning in southern England and having influenced effectively all dialects of English today. Through this extensive vowel shift, the pronunciation of all Middle English long vowels altered. Some consonant sounds also changed, specifically becoming silent; the term Great Vowel Shift is occasionally used to include these consonantal changes.

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