What effect does a vowel digraph have on the preceding consonant 'c'?

A vowel digraph is a combination of two vowels that together create a single vowel sound. In the context of the preceding consonant 'c', a vowel digraph can influence the pronunciation of 'c' based on the specific digraph used.

When a vowel digraph, such as 'ea' or 'ei', follows 'c', it can cause the 'c' to produce a /s/ sound instead of its usual /k/ sound. For example, in the word "ceiling," the 'c' is pronounced as /s/ due to the presence of 'ei'. This phenomenon occurs because certain vowel arrangements signal to the speaker that the 'c' should be softened to enhance phonetic fluidity and match the characteristic sounds associated with the subsequent vowels.

This effect is significant in teaching reading and phonics, especially in structured language education, as it helps students understand the rules governing consonant sounds in collaboration with vowel digraphs. Recognizing how vowel digraphs can influence the pronunciation of consonants is an important aspect of developing proficiency in phonics and reading skills.