The "I" in Microsoft does not sound like a "Y". There are 2 sounds a vowel can have, and they are the alphabet sound or a relative sound. If the letter says it alphabet sound as in the word "cake", you hear a distinct "a" sound just like when you say the alphabet. If the letter "a" has the relative sound as in the word "father" you do not hear the vowel sound "a", but rather the "ah" sound. I teach an excellent class using the book "Clear Speech" if you are interested in improving your pronunciation from a professional. If you don't want to study with me, I am willing to send you the book for free. Just send me your email address I would like to help you.

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Hey there Marco. How's it going? Great question. First, let's look at the basics. "i" has 2 sounds. #1 "ih" as in "it". This is called the SHORT SOUND and #2 "I" as in "eye" or "I love you". This is called the LONG SOUND, where the letter "i" Says-----Its----Name, you know, "I". as in "I am going to be rich!" Now in English, the SHORT SOUND is the more common sound. I will show. There is a great book which can really help with this sort of thing. It is titled: "The ABC's And All Their Tricks". It gives examples of words which uses certain sounds. Otherwise, let's Look at examples of the Short Sound: it, bit, fit, sit, lit, How about this? "city" look at the y. At the end of the word, it says "ee" Cit"ee" But notice the "i" says its SHORT SOUND? More examples where I says the SHORT SOUND. Watch for the double consonant pattern. They are the key indiction for a SHORT SOUND of "i". Kitten, Bitten, Mitten, Chicken, Stricken, Clicking, Sticking, Picking, Licking, ... Now, there is a special Rule in English Marco, that many people never learn about. It is the Rule for the SILENT E. This is one grammar Rule you DO need to learn. "When E appears at the END of an English word, it MAKES THE PREVIOUS VOWEL SAY ITS NAME." Example. Bite -See the e at the end? It will always be a SILENT E. We do not pronounce it. But it does mean that the PREVIOUS (or earlier vowel) Says-----Its----Name which is the LONG SOUND of "i" or "eye" as in I LOVE YOU. So Bite, Spite, Kite, Write You see? The same rule applies to other vowels when E is a the end of English words. Fate, Hate, Late...etc. [See how A Says----Its----Name?] ---Warm Regards, Bruce. I

Here is a free online Talking English Pronunciation Dictionary - simply click over your entry to hear it pronounced. www.howjsay.com

Good question. In most cases you'll just have to be patient and learn the words as you go. One general rule is that if the "i" is followed by a silent e, then it's a long "i" (ai/y) sound. For example, mine, fine, Proserpine, pie, columbine. However, there are still exceptions (eg. amphetamine, Celestine and cutie have an "ee" sound). If a double consonant follows, then it's a short "i": little, bitter, hippocampus. I'm sure there are exceptions to that as well. Keep learning and listening. :)