Vowel Shifting Mechanics
Understanding chain shifts and how moving one vowel impacts the entire acoustic space.
Chain Shifts
Vowels do not exist in isolation. If an accent pushes the /æ/ (trap) vowel higher and fronter (as in the Northern Cities Shift), the adjacent vowels must move to maintain perceptual distance. When acquiring a new accent, you must remap the entire vowel space, not just isolated sounds.