Evolution of the Portuguese vowel system from vulgar Latin to modern Portuguese

Abstract

This study has two objectives: firstly, to recapitulate the evolution of the Portuguese vowel system and to show the state of this system in various phases of its history (vulgar Latin, old Portuguese, classical Portuguese and modern Portuguese). Secondly, to verify linguistic changes that have occurred in this system and that are mentioned as hypothetical in the linguistic literature, in the diachronical corpus of Portuguese language (www.portuguese.org).

Keywords

• Portuguese language
• diachronic linguistics
• vowel system
• corporal linguistics