Simon Rayner wrote:
> In message
> <3921f19a-6fe1-4a15-97c9-74007c2be7b2@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
> Paul <paulmathewmac@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> writes
>> 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.
>
> A lot of people write 'an hotel', which always surprises me. Do they say
> it without the 'h'? I think 'a eulogy' and 'a university' are
preferable.
>
The pronunciation of the "h" in words like "hotel" and "history" is
quite recent. These words are of French origin and the "h" isn't
pronounced initially in French. In the case of some words of French
origin such as "hour and "honest" the "h" is still not pronounced. And
in the case of some other words both pronunciations are possible e.g. in
"herb" the "h" is pronounced in Britain but I understand that it isn't
in many parts of the US.
Regards, Einde O'Callaghan
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