"Island" is a word that surprises many English learners. That "S" in the middle? It's completely silent! The word sounds like "EYE-lund," not "IS-land."
The Correct Pronunciation
Say it like this: EYE-lund (2 syllables)
NOT: IS-land ❌
NOT: EYE-land ❌ (it's "lund," not "land")
The Silent "S"
The "S" in island is completely silent. Don't pronounce it at all!
Written: i-s-l-a-n-d
Spoken: EYE-lund
Why Is the S Silent?
Fun fact: the "S" wasn't always there! The Old English word was "īgland" (no S). Later, scholars added the "S" to make it look like Latin "insula" (island). But the pronunciation never changed—so now we have a silent S!
Step-by-Step Breakdown
- EYE /aɪ/ - Like the word "eye" or "I." This is the stressed syllable.
- lund /lənd/ - Quick schwa + "nd". NOT "land"—the vowel is reduced.
Common Mistakes
Mistake #1: Pronouncing the S
❌ IS-land
✅ EYE-lund
Mistake #2: Saying "land" clearly in the second syllable
❌ EYE-LAND
✅ EYE-lund (reduced vowel in second syllable)
Related Words
More Words with Silent S
Famous Islands to Practice
Say these island names:
- "Long Island" (New York)
- "Rhode Island" (the state)
- "Easter Island"
- "The Cayman Islands"
- "The British Virgin Islands"
Common Phrases
- "I want to visit a tropical island."
- "We're staying on the island."
- "The island has beautiful beaches."
- "No man is an island." (famous quote)
Memory Trick
Think: "I land on an island" - start with "I" (eye) sound!
Or: The S is Silently Sleeping in island 💤
Key Takeaways
- Pronounce it EYE-lund (2 syllables)
- The "S" is completely silent
- Starts with the same sound as "I" or "eye"
- Second syllable is reduced: "lund," not "land"
- Same silent S in "isle" and "aisle"
Now you can talk about islands correctly!