Vowels: Variations - when ‘i’ follows a ‘m’ and is followed by a ‘r’ or ‘rn’ the ‘i’ is rounded off like ‘tu’ in French. (top of the tongue touches the back of the palate). - 'a' followed by 'y' and another vowel, especially ‘a’, it is pronounced 'ai' or 'i' as in 'ice'.