Middle English Vowels 1. During this period the language underwent such qualitative changes: 1. In Middle English Vowels in the final unstressed position are reduced (or levelled). 2. Monophthongs’ development in Middle English language:     З. ОЕ diphthongs are monophthongized: 4. Vocalization of ƺ after e, æ and w after o, a. 5.The sounds […]

1. Only 14 phonemes: p, b, m, f, t, d, n, s, r, 1, þ, (ð), c, ƺ, h. 2. OE voiceless cons, surrounded by voiced sounds becomes voiced, and a voiced cons, when final is unvoiced. 3. Absence of affricates and fricatives (tʃ, dƺ, ƺ). 4. Dependence of quality upon environment: Among the 14 […]

It is well known that language, whether it is English, Russian or any other, is a historical phenomenon. As such it does not stay unchanged for any considerable period of time, or for any lime at all, but it is constantly changing throughout its history. The changes affect all the spheres of the language: grammar […]