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KMID : 0368019840070010099
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Journal of Soonchunhyang University
1984 Volume.7 No. 1 p.99 ~ p.108
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A Study on English Phonetic Changes
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Abstract
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Language has a characteristic to be changed slowly but continuously even though we can not recognize.
Especially, sound is inclind to be changed easily compare to other factors in language such as vocaburary, Syntax or Morpheme. But it is necessary to understand that phonetic changes used to occur regurally and systematically under a certain rules.
By using the synchronic approach method, I have tried to study how English pronunciation have been formed to its present state through a long period and what the phonemic characteristic of present English is.
In order to find out the process of synchronic sound changes in English, I have investigated as follows:
1) The characteristics of phonetic changes.
2) The types and phenomenons of phonetic changes.
(1) Independent or isolative sound changes
(2) Dependent or combinative changes
(3) External changes
3) Historical research in the changes of phonemic system by using the synchronic approach method.
(1) Old English(OE)
(2) Middle English(ME)
(3) Modern English(ModE)
(4) Present Englsh(Pres E)
As a result, it was proved that vowels were less stable and easily changed than consanant in the phonemic system.
OE: The most important sound-changes of the Old English was front mutation or i/j mutation.
ME: Old English diphthongs became monophthongs in ME and ME diphthongs were French origin, borrowed from the French-speaking conguerors of England.
Mode: Two highest ME front and back vowels(i and u) became diphthongs. These changes in the qualities of the long, or short vowels consist were more notable as a result of the great vowel shift.
Compare to the big changes of vowels, changes in the consonantal system were less. striking.
We may summarize the most improtant characteristics of each period´s phonetic changes as follows:
OE: Divergent Development period
ME: Convergent Development period
Mod E: Rephonologization period.
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