Why is the "i" in "magia" pronounced, but it's not pronounced in "giacere"?

Question

Grammar rules indicate that the "i" in "gia" should be silent. so What's up?

Answer 1

It's hard to believe some of these.  It's just that there are exceptions to ALL rules, and this is one.  Just learn it.  MOST of the time, though, the 'i' following "g" is ONLY to make the "g" sound soft instead of hard.  

It's also difficult for most Americans to pronounce the double consonants in Italian (like the double "n" in "Giovanni"), but I came upon a really good way to do it.

Answer 2

Like in English. you don't pronounce the "S" in Island.

In that case it would be like 'Jack', and not Jaick

Answer 3

It is wrong..in both words we say the "i"  ..In italian language there are not vocals mute (silent)..

Answer 4

The "i" is pronounced in "magia" because the stress falls on the "i" in that particular word in Italian. (mah-GEE-ah)  When the "i" is unstressed, then it's silent, as in "giacere" (jah-CHEH-reh).

Basically, when a vowel is stressed, it cannot be silent.  Another example would be "Mangia!" (command form of the verb mangiare)  Since the stress falls on the first "a", the "i" is silent.  However, in the word "bugia" you have to pronounce the "i" (boo-GEE-ah) because that is where the stress falls.

Spero che la mia spiegazione ti sia stata utile.

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Edit:  In response to both martox45 and roger21, the best answer to give someone learning a new language is to provide the simplest rule to understand.  Obviously the letter "i" in "giacere" has some audible value, but its main purpose is to make the "g" soft (suono palatale).  If you were to pronounce "giacere" at a painfully slow speed, then of course it would sound like "gee-ah-CHEH-reh".  Ma fammi vedere una persona in Italia che parla così!  Porco cane, perchè volete rompere le palle alla persona che fa questa buona domanda?

Answer 5

That's just Italian grammar for you. Like how "che" sounds like there is no "h" but "ce" has an "h" sound. Don't question it, just do it.  :P Good luck.

Answer 6

What the h**l (with all the people here above) are you saying ?? I'm Italian and we do pronounce the "i" in both words, there's absolutely no difference.

We pronounce Magia = mah-jee-ah and giacere = jee-ah-cheh-reh

Can you pls explain to me where is the difference??