English, the Language.
- Thread starter iBender
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^Oh gosh, does that mean Herb is like the Family Guy thing between Stewie and Brian over the whole Wh, loud H thing, like What, Who, Where, Why... Is Herb one of those words?
Indeed? I'd say you're the winner.
That all depends on how you define "we English."
I had a similar problem in London once, trying to order a bottle of water. With my mushy Western-Canadian accent this comes out sounding like "c'diva bodl'wad'r, please?"
The Asian woman behind the counter looked at me blankly. I repeated myself, trying to enunciate more clearly. Finally, tentatively, she asked "Wo-tare?"
"Yes!" I said, smiling and nodding. And communication was effected.
My own favourite quirk in English is the use of 'an' before certain words that start with an 'h'.
As a history professor, this happens to me quite frequently, and I could never understand why: I would say "a history," "a history book," "a history professor," and so on; but then, for some reason, I would say "an historian," and "an historical problem."
This used to bug me: I thought it was a mistake. Then someone (I think it was actually Deckerd) explained to me that this is done when the stress is laid on the second syllable: a HIS-to-ry professor; an his-TOR-ian.
Or, to be precise: an 'istorian, with a dropped 'h'.
As a former history major, I used to do the exact same things, and it used to bug me as well. Thank you for finally explaining why it shouldn't bother me!
We should all pronounce words like we did before the great vowel shift. Words ending in e should pronounce the e. Words like Knight should pronounce the K and the gh (it should be [knIxt] assuming I have the phoneme [x] correct. Essentially, the ch in German words). After all, everything else is just a corruption.
I can't see the problem with pronouncing it with a silence H.Aw, language purists are just the cutest.
I subscribe to Picard's "this far and no further" ethos
I can't see the problem: herb (plant) is herb. Erb (nothing) is erb (still nothing).
If you are going to be rigid about this you shouldn't be posting in a thread that is all about the ever-changing English language.
This is not a thread about ever-changing English. If it was, would not even respond. I love the fact my language evolves. That is what is so exciting/stimulating. Thread was: English, the Language, with variants therein. Whether you like it or not, accept or not (and I can't really GIVE A FUCK ONE OR ANOTHER) 'herb' is accepted word and 'erb' is nothing/nada/zilch/whatever. Not my rules, but so it goes...
According to the rules...I can't see the problem with pronouncing it with a silence H.I subscribe to Picard's "this far and no further" ethos
I can't see the problem: herb (plant) is herb. Erb (nothing) is erb (still nothing).
If you are going to be rigid about this you shouldn't be posting in a thread that is all about the ever-changing English language.
This is not a thread about ever-changing English. If it was, would not even respond. I love the fact my language evolves. That is what is so exciting/stimulating. Thread was: English, the Language, with variants therein. Whether you like it or not, accept or not (and I can't really GIVE A FUCK ONE OR ANOTHER) 'herb' is accepted word and 'erb' is nothing/nada/zilch/whatever. Not my rules, but so it goes...
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/herb
The silent H pronunciation is correct, whether you accept it or not.
Except that you're totally and completely wrong.
You do realize that English is not one monolithic language with one set of rules, right?
In the sub-set of English typically called "American English", the correct way to pronounce the word "herb" is with no "h" sound. This happens to correspond with the original pronunciation of the word from Middle English by way of Old French.
I believe that in the modern vernacular they call that 'pwnage.'
How do you pronounce that? Is the "p" silent? 
I can't see the problem with pronouncing it with a silence H.Aw, language purists are just the cutest.
I subscribe to Picard's "this far and no further" ethos
I can't see the problem: herb (plant) is herb. Erb (nothing) is erb (still nothing).
If you are going to be rigid about this you shouldn't be posting in a thread that is all about the ever-changing English language.
I've had this problem repeatedly in US. Water. I'm sure many will assume: what's the problem? Common language, etc. Bear with me...
"Wa-ta?"
"Yes, war-tar"
"War-tar?"
"Yes" (*mimic action of drinking water)
"Oh, "w........." (substitute as necessary for regional/state/dialect).
One of the basic elements we need for survival. 'God' help us...
Ha,
No, but the H is.How do you pronounce that? Is the "p" silent?
To all of the excitable above:
'H' (as in herb) was silent until the mid-19th century. Your references.
Seriously, I'd be first to admit change (little or no ego). Couldn't give a flying F one way or another. But you disappoint me, and that is sad and desperate. Brits pronounce herb as herb (with some colloquial variations which might express " 'erb" , but mean 'herb')
'H' (as in herb) was silent until the mid-19th century. Your references.
Seriously, I'd be first to admit change (little or no ego). Couldn't give a flying F one way or another. But you disappoint me, and that is sad and desperate. Brits pronounce herb as herb (with some colloquial variations which might express " 'erb" , but mean 'herb')
The way I see it is, Herb and Erb both mean the same thing but Music's the true universal language, so fuzz you all
(Music and maths.)
Indeed. Mean same thing. But English (my language of communication) is 'herb'. Though if others use 'erb' I will recognise it, even if not correct.
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