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On this episode of Our American Stories, in the late Middle Ages, English began to change in a way people could hear as much as read. Speakers across England gradually started pronouncing vowels differently, setting the language on a path from Middle English toward what we now recognize as modern English.

That long transition, known as the Great Vowel Shift, helps explain why English spelling and pronunciation so often feel out of sync, since the words on the page stayed largely the same while their sounds continued to evolve over generations.

The History Guy shares how the Great Vowel Shift reshaped spoken English and left a lasting imprint on the language we use today.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the late Middle Ages, English began to change in a way people could hear as much as read. Speakers across England gradually started pronouncing vowels differently, setting the language on a path from Middle English toward what we now recognize as modern English. That long transition, known as the Great Vowel Shift, helps explain why English spelling and pronunciation so often feel out of sync, since the words on the page stayed largely the same while their sounds continued to evolve over generations. The History Guy shares how the Great Vowel Shift reshaped spoken English and left a lasting imprint on the language we use today.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

How the Great Vowel Shift Created Modern English

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/01c2f16c-b2e0-43fb-991a-b432013d7d5d/transcript