Why is the musical instrument violin pronounced "vi-(as in 'vine')o

Question: Why is the musical instrument violin pronounced "vi-(as in 'vine')o-lin" and the viola is pronounced "vee-ola"!?

My professor is giving extra credit to whoever brings him the correct, "prove-able" answer!.!.!.!.so if you can cite sources you'll be my hero!! Thanks!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Go to your local library and check the full edition of the OED!. If they have the miniscule print version you may need to bring a magnifying glass as someone usually steals it!.

Viols (pronounced vi-ol) were popular in England!. Violas were imported from Italy as was the word, and thus the word stayed the same, whilst violins were more popular once invented and thus the pronunciation of one was transferred from the older viol, whilst the other retained its imported pronunciation!.

Note that in many rural populations, viola is pronounced "vi-ola" to this day!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

They were originally pronounced Viol Vi-ol
and violin Vi-o-lin!. I don't know what caused the change in pronunciation!. Some still say Vi-o-la!.
The viol or viola was the original intrument which was later made smaller and became the violin!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Something to do with ending in a consonant!.Www@QuestionHome@Com