Pronunciation of Middle English vowels and diphthongs
Sound Pronunciation Spelling Examples
ā like a in father a, aa fader, caas
a “ a in what a what
ē “ a in mate e, ee swete, neede
ē “ e in there e, ee bere, heeth
e “ e in met e hem
e “ a in about e yonge
ī “ i in machine i, y blithe, nyce
i “ i in bit i, y list, nyste
ō “ o in so o, oo dom, roote
ō “ o in cloth o, oo lore, goon
o “ o in or o for
ū “ oo in root ou, ow hous, how
u “ oo in book u, o ful, nonne
u “ Fr. u in tu u vertu
au “ ow in how au, aw cause, drawe
ei “ ay in day ai, ay, ei, ey fair, may, faith, eyr
eu e+u ew fewe, shewe
iu like ew in few eu, ew reule, newe
oi “ oy in boy oi, oy point, joye
ou “ ow in grow ou, ow thought, knowe
Pronounce most consonants as you do in modern English; however, in certain positions consonants which are
now silent were still pronounced:
k and g in knight, knowe, gnawe, etc.
gh like ch in German ich—droghte, knight
l before f, v, k, m: calf, halve, folk, palmer