There seems to be a recent phonemic change in the German standard language that concerns the distinction between /eː/ and /ɛː/. This merger, that makes ‘Bären’ and ‘Beeren’ occur as a homonym [beːʀən], is supposed to develop from north to south.
But even if there is any regional variation, this is no certain evidence for a change in progress. The phoneme /ɛː/ is often considered to be a so-called spelling pronunciation. Therefore, it is questionable whether the standard distinction between /eː/ and /ɛː/ ever existed in the pronunciation of most German speakers.
In order to classify this possible sound change and to show its context, this book concentrates on the historical development of the German e-sounds. This diachronic analysis starts with the time before the Old High German and ends up with the recent changes. It will be possible to determine the landschaftliches Hochdeutsch as the starting point of the recent merger.
Finally, a possible interdependence between the recent reduction of the phoneme /ɛː/ and the complexity of its historical development will be tested.
