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ArishMell · 70-79, M
One of those quirks which, along with a strong respect for etymology, makes the English language in its many, own British Isles, Standard and dialect forms, so rich!
The word "vine" is from French "vin", so it was a matter over time of adopting the most common English pronunciation of what in its native language rhymes approximately with "van". The hard 'i' even seems to make it slightly easier to pronounce.
Perhaps it's similar to why we generally pronounce the definite-article as "thee" before a soft vowel (e.g. "thee air"). That is smoother and more mellifluous to say and hear than the glottal stop forced by a hard 'e', as in "thuh air". Though I have heard this inelegant latter form quite frequently in the last few years.
The word "vine" is from French "vin", so it was a matter over time of adopting the most common English pronunciation of what in its native language rhymes approximately with "van". The hard 'i' even seems to make it slightly easier to pronounce.
Perhaps it's similar to why we generally pronounce the definite-article as "thee" before a soft vowel (e.g. "thee air"). That is smoother and more mellifluous to say and hear than the glottal stop forced by a hard 'e', as in "thuh air". Though I have heard this inelegant latter form quite frequently in the last few years.
