Why is there a difference in pronunciation between island and inland.?

The difference in pronunciation between "island" and "inland" lies in the vowel sound of the stressed syllable.

Here's the breakdown:

* Island: The vowel sound in "island" is a short i sound, similar to the "i" in "sit".

* Inland: The vowel sound in "inland" is a long i sound, similar to the "i" in "machine".

This difference in vowel sound is primarily due to the historical development of the English language. The word "island" comes from Old English "igland," which itself derived from Proto-Germanic **īland*, meaning "land in the water." Over time, the "i" sound in "island" has shortened, while the "i" sound in "inland" has retained its long pronunciation.

Essentially, the vowel sound shift in "island" is a result of its origin and a long process of sound changes in the English language.