As per phonetics theory, I've been told one should use the indefinite
article "a" before words beginning with a consonant and "an" before
words beginning with a vowel or a diphthong. And the sound "y" ( or /
j / in phonetic script) as in "eulogy", "university", "European"
etc. is to be treated as a consonant (though in certain contexts one
would also call it a "semi-vowel").
Why is it that I still find "an" preceeding this sound in certain
write-ups generating combinations such as "an eulogy", and "an
university" ? Are these instances of incorrect usage?
Paul.
