<P> A ⟨ y ⟩ that derives from the ⟨ ij ⟩ ligature occurs in the Afrikaans language, a descendant of Dutch, and in Alemannic German names . In Afrikaans, it denotes the diphthong (əi). In Alemannic German names, it denotes long / iː /, for instance in Schnyder (ˈʃniːdər) or Schwyz (ˈʃʋiːts)--the cognate non-Alemannic German names Schneider (ˈʃnaɪdər) or Schweiz (ʃʋaɪts) have the diphthong / aɪ / that developed from long / iː / . </P> <P> The Icelandic writing system uses ⟨ y ⟩ for / ɪ / and ⟨ ý ⟩ for / i / . In Faroese, ⟨ y ⟩ is always pronounced / i / . In both languages, it can also form part of diphthongs such as ⟨ ey ⟩ (in both languages) and ⟨ oy ⟩ (Faroese only). </P> <P> In French orthography, ⟨ y ⟩ is pronounced as (i) when a vowel (as in the words cycle, y) and as (j) as a consonant (as in yeux, voyez). It alternates orthographically with ⟨ i ⟩ in the conjugations of some verbs, indicating a (j) sound . In most cases when ⟨ y ⟩ follows a vowel, it modifies the pronunciation of the vowel: ⟨ ay ⟩ (ɛ), ⟨ oy ⟩ (wa), ⟨ uy ⟩ (ɥi). The letter ⟨ y ⟩ has double function (modifying the vowel and (j) or (i)) in the words payer, balayer, moyen, essuyer, pays, etc., but in some words it has only a single function: (j) in bayer, mayonnaise, coyote; modifying the vowel at the end of proper names like Chardonnay and Fourcroy . In French ⟨ y ⟩ can have a diaresis (tréma) as in Moÿ - de-l'Aisne . </P> <P> In Spanish, ⟨ y ⟩ was used as a word - initial form of ⟨ i ⟩ that was more visible . (German has used ⟨ j ⟩ in a similar way .) Hence, el yugo y las flechas was a symbol sharing the initials of Isabella I of Castille (Ysabel) and Ferdinand II of Aragon . This spelling was reformed by the Royal Spanish Academy and currently is only found in proper names spelled archaically, such as Ybarra or CYII, the symbol of the Canal de Isabel II . </P>

How do you spell the letter y in french