The New High German Vowel Shift

Abstract While research on vowel quality in Early New High German has focused primarily on changes affecting the standard language, such as the New High German diphthongization of MHG î, û, iu and the New High German monophthongization of MHG ie, uo, üe , qualitative changes of far greater scope have taken place in High German dialects. Diphthongization, monophthongization, and vowel movement have occurred at all vowel heights in the different dialects and taken together are worthy of the label ›vowel shift.‹ The analysis of data collected from over 250 High German dialect descriptions reveals that five different types of vowel shift have taken place in High German dialects, which points to polygenesis. Diphthong series are found to be more prevalent at all vowel heights in Upper German dialects, while Middle German dialects tend to vowel raising and monophthongization. Some areas on the edges of High German territory show little or no vowel shifting compared to Middle High German.