the pronunciation "ea"

[WUKEN]

Hello, there:
I have a question about pronunciation.
I am wondering why same letter have different pronunciations.i.e. "deaf" and" deal".

Is there any rule about it?
Could you please clarify it?
Thanks for your help in advance.

[BobK]

I don't believe so; and there's a third pronunciation in "break". I'd guess that the most common pronunciation was /i:/, but I really don't know. Anyone else?

b

[konungursvia]

Trying to find logic in our spelling is.... harder than just learning it.