CM, Howdy;Sorry, but either you’re explaining it wrong or you’re memory is wrong.
From my linguistic study:
In most languages
a is pronounce ah
e is pronounced eh or ay (depending on how the word flows.
I is pronounce ee
o is pronounced somewhere betwren oh and aw
u is pronounced something close to oo
And dipthongs have their own set of rules for each language.
cc followed by an e or i in Italian is pronounced ‘ch’
I can appreciate what you say. I was in Napoli for 3 years and
the various dialects from various parts of the Country vary to
some degree just like here inna States. Southern Louisiana don't
sound like Down-East Maine eh.
hank