Hello!

Recently, one of my writing seminar students asked this question, on behalf of his 10-year-old son:

Why is it:

wIld (long I sound)
wIlder (still long I sound)
BUT, wilderness (now a short I sound)

My first reaction is that is has to do with the addition of the third syllable; however, I could not find a pronunciation rule that applied. Plus, I couldn't think of any other similar examples when he put me on the spot.

I just KNOW that folks here will know.

Thanks!
Terri G