Well, the vowels before +ic, +id, +ish get lightened. The lightened vowel is same as that you get in trisyllabic laxing.
Therefore, phonics = /ˈfɑnɪks/, variant /ˈfoʊnɪks/
How many people would say /ˈfoʊnɪks/? and which one is more common /ˈfoʊnɪks/ or /ˈfoʊnɪks/ ? Thanks
That seems to me to be rather unystematic. It also suggests that "Well, the vowels before +ic, +id, +ish get lightened" needs a 'sometimes'1. analgesic, phonemic, basic, obesity, Polish: -lax
2. scenic, phonics: +/- lax
3. kinetic, polish, polish: +lax
L2 learners can stick with +lax variants in 2. There is nothing you can do with those in 1. That way, you can focus on the systematic nature of various pronunciations in English.
That seems to me to be rather unystematic. It also suggests that "Well, the vowels before +ic, +id, +ish get lightened" needs a 'sometimes'
If you have a question about the English language and would like to ask one of our many English teachers and language experts, please click the button below to let us know: