Why is colonel spelled the way it is? Shouldnt it be, "Cernal"?

Answer 1

In French, of course, Colonel is pronounced the way it is spelled. But English long ago gave up pronouncing words the way they were spelled.

Answer 2

There are a lot of English words that not spelled the way they sound. That's why English is the hardest language to learn to write.

fish starts with an F
photo starts with a PH

your colonel is in reference to a rank in the military. But on a corncob, it's spelled 'kernel'.

Answer 3

The link below should answer your question. Please refer to the pronunciation note halfway down the page.