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What was the Great Vowel Shift in the history of the English language? How did it change the pronunciation of English vowels? The Great Vowel Shift was a change in the pronunciation of English vowels that took place roughly between 1400 and 1600. Basically, the pronunciation of long vowels moved forward, that is, closer to the front of the mouth. Keep reading to learn about the Great Vowel Shift.
What was Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign like? How did Obama win against all odds? When Barack Obama ran for president, he was an unknown senator from Illinois. Michelle was also worried that America wasn’t ready for a Black president. However, Obama’s 2008 run gained strength due to its massive grassroots campaign. Continue on to learn about Obama’s 2008 campaign.
Why can’t humans regenerate body parts? How does Darwinian medicine help us understand the body better? Some animals, like lizards and starfish, can regrow body parts. However, humans do not have this ability because the negative costs outweigh the positive ones. Continue on to learn the dangers of human body regeneration.
In what ways were Michelle and Barack Obama’s upbringings different? Why did Barack move around a lot as a child? Michelle Obama’s childhood was stable and focused around family and education. On the contrary, Barack had a mixed heritage, lived in Hawaii and Indonesia, and had loose ties with his family. Continue reading to learn more about Barack Obama’s heritage and how it differed from Michelle’s.
What is Early Modern English? What are the major linguistic developments that took place during this period? The Early Modern English period extends roughly from 1500 to 1800 CE. The major developments during this period were the Great Vowel Shift, the invention of the printing press, and the English spelling reform. It was also the time of William Shakespeare, who made a remarkable contribution to the standardization and exaltation of the English language. Read about the key events and linguistic developments that took place during Early Modern English.
Why is literature so influenced by the works of Shakespeare? What does an author have to gain by referencing Shakespeare in his work? In the literary world, Shakespeare is considered a sacred text. Authors know that Shakespeare is the most well-known writer in history, so they rely on a reader’s awareness of Shakespeare to deepen the meaning of their own work. Keep reading for more information about the influence of Shakespeare on literature.
Why did Michelle Obama decide to start her own campaign even though she despised politics? Did her campaign end up doing more harm than good? In 2008, Michelle Obama decided to do what most presidential candidates’ spouses do and started her own campaign for Barack. Despite her disdain for politics, Michelle managed to connect with many voters on a personal level. Continue reading to learn more about Michelle Obama’s campaign.
Why are obesity and dental cavities effects of evolution? Why does modern food trigger supernormal stimuli in our bodies? The human body is evolved for life in the Stone Age. Our way of living changed so rapidly that evolution has yet to catch up and our bodies are paying the price. Keep reading to learn why our bodies are still adapted for the Stone Age and how that’s hurting us.
How did Michelle and Barack Obama meet? How did their love blossom despite Michelle not wanting to get in a relationship? After she graduated from Harvard Law School, Michelle moved back to Chicago, lived with her family, and worked at a law firm. She was tasked with mentoring a summer associate, Barack, and his earnest attitude towards community work and self-assurance impressed Michelle. Continue on to learn about Michelle and Barack’s love story.
What was the English spelling reform? And what were the reasons behind the efforts to standardize the conventions of English spelling? The incongruity between English spelling and pronunciation has been a defining feature of the English language for most of its history. This has led some notable public figures to call for the English spelling reform to bridge the two together. Keep reading to learn about the English spelling reform and why it failed.