Reply #6: There is a major vowel shift occurring. [View All]

[patcox2]

Linguists have suggested there is a major vowel shift occurring which would change the pronunciation of almost every word. Something similar happened in the 1300s and 1400s, which is the reason english vowels are pronounced differently from the way they are pronounced in most other european languages.

The modern shift involves moving the vowel up toward the front of the mouth. It is most prominent in what used to be called "Valley girl" speak, things like "fer shure" and "rilly." That pronunciation, in a more subtle form, is widespread in the way younger people speak nowadays.

This shit fascinates me.