Vowel shift
A vowel shift is a systematic sound change in the pronunciation of the vowel sounds of a language.
| Sound change and alternation |
|---|
| Fortition |
| Dissimilation |
The best-known example in the English language is the Great Vowel Shift, which began in the 15th century. The Greek language also underwent a vowel shift near the beginning of the Common Era, which included iotacism. Among the Semitic languages, the Canaanite languages underwent a shift in which Proto-Semitic *ā became ō in Proto-Canaanite (a language likely very similar to Biblical Hebrew).
A vowel shift can involve a merger of two previously different sounds, or it can be a chain shift.
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