I.
I has a sound long, as fīne; and short as fĭn.
That is eminently observable in i, which may be likewise remarkable in other letters, that the short sound is not the long sound contracted, but a sound wholly different.
The long sound in monosyllables is always marked by the e final, as thĭn, thīne.
I is often sounded before r, as a short u; as flirt, first, shirt.
It forms a diphthong only with e, as field, shield, which is sounded as the double ee; except friend, which is sounded as frĕnd.
I is joined with eu in lieu, and ew in view; which triphthongs are sounded as the open u.