Qualitative Changes in EME

Qualitative vowel changes were less important.

1) OE close labiolized vowels [y], [y:] disappeared, merging with various sounds in

different dialectic areas:

[e, e:]

[y, y:] ->

[i, i:];

2) OE [a:] was narrowed to [):]: stan -> stone -> stone;

3) OE [as] was replaced by [a].

4) the most important of the EME qualitative changes was the loss of OE diphthongs,

which affected the entire system of vowels. As a result of this process the vowel

system lost the two sets of OE diphthongs. In the meantime, however, a new set of

diphthongs developed from combinations of vowels with consonants, due to the

vocalisation of the latter.

Monophthongisation of OE Diphthongs_______

Growth of New Diphthongs

In EME [j], [y] in the position between two vowels or after a vowel changed into

[i], [u] and formed diphthongs together with the preceding vowel.

ME Vowels

NE Vowels