Yesterday, looking for a dictionary at Laval university, I stumbled upon the biggest book I have seen in my life: a 1941 English dictionary by Funk & Wagnalls. I could not resist taking that monster in my hands:
I would advise those who consider English as an easy language to have a look at page 2763. Even at a time of grave global conflict, the Advisory Committee for disputed pronunciations required no less than 25 knowledgeable Allies to settle a large number of these secondary disputes.
I'm afraid we're compelled to pronounce English a heavy tool.