Why is Y sometimes a vowel?

You're right, "Y" can act as both a vowel and a consonant, depending on its position and pronunciation in a word. Here's a breakdown:

Y as a consonant:

* At the beginning of a word: "yes", "yellow", "yoga"

* Before another consonant: "myth", "symphony", "fly"

In these cases, "Y" has a similar sound to "j" or "y" as in "you". It acts as the initial sound of the syllable and often forms a consonant cluster.

Y as a vowel:

* At the end of a word: "happy", "try", "sky"

* As the only vowel in a syllable: "fly", "my", "by"

Here, "Y" creates the core vowel sound of the syllable. It can be short (like in "sky") or long (like in "try").

Why is this?

The English language's history and development contribute to "Y" being a bit of a chameleon. It evolved from the Old English letter "ȳ", which was a distinct vowel sound. As the language changed, "Y" took on a broader role, sometimes acting as a consonant and sometimes as a vowel.

Think of it this way:

"Y" is a versatile letter that can adapt its role depending on its context. It's a reminder of the fascinating evolution of language and how sounds can shift over time.