Question

I understand that 'mirror' is prononced meer-er. but what is the rule behind that pronunciation

Enoon · Accepted Answer

There are no rules for pronunciation. If there were, there would be rules for spelling, and there aren't. That said, the "i" is has its usual value in European languages, influenced by the following "r". The vowel in an unaccented syllable is always a schwa, so that explains the "o". The word "mirror" is pronounced the way you might expect by its spelling.

Anonymous · Answer

Wouldn't it follow this rule:
When a word has a vowel followed by two of the same consonants in a row (called a double consonant), a short sound is used for the vowel.

Enoon · Answer

AnonymousWouldn't it follow this rule:When a word has a vowel followed by two of the same consonants in a row (called a double consonant), a short sound is used for the vowel.

OK, I see what you mean. I think "irr" is an exception. I can't really make my mouth form a short "i" with an "r" sound right after.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousI understand that 'mirror' is prononced meer-er. but what is the rule behind that pronunciation

The rule is to say the 'short vowel' in combination with double-r, and that is done in some regions of the US.

Examples: marry, merry, mirror, borrow, hurry.

Nevertheless, in most regions, the "arr" is pronounced the same as the "err" (so that "marry" and "merry" are pronounced identically), the "irr" is pronounced the same as the "ear" in "hear" (so that "mirror" rhymes with "hearer"), and the "urr" is pronounced the same as the "er" in "term". These differences in pronunciation came about through random historical developments and cannot be said to be governed by any particular rule.

If you are interested in the last syllable of "mirror", note that final unstressed ar, er, ir, or, and ur are indistinguishable: sugar, worker, nadir, sailor, augur.

CJ

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