Thread

1. kichimi · 1789855878 · focus · HN ↗

   I've spent some time thinking about this before, and it provides a clue about the writers accent. For example:

   "An 'H'", and "a 'H'" are both equally valid following this rule (by my interpretation), depending on how you pronounce the letter 'H'.

   1. post-it · 1789856034 · focus · HN ↗

      A/an herb, for example.

      1. mc32 · 1789856241 · focus · HN ↗

         /heitsh/ vs /eitsh/. I think it's mostly Irish with the former.

         1. kelnos · 1789857413 · focus · HN ↗

            And Australian, I believe.

            1. ajxs · 1789858423 · focus · HN ↗

               I'm Australian, and I say 'A Hotel', and 'A Herb'. Until very recently, I'd never heard anyone ever say it differently.

               1. subarctic · 1789871164 · focus · HN ↗

                  GP is talking about the name of the letter H like when you're saying the ABCs. How do you pronounce it?

                  1. ajxs · 1789944471 · focus · HN ↗

                     Pardon me. I actually pronounce it heitsh, but I don't think there's a concensus among Australians about that.
         2. nephihaha · 1789857605 · focus · HN ↗

            "I think it's mostly Irish with the former."

            Actually, it's a shibboleth. It used to be said in Ireland that Roman Catholic called it "haitch" and Protestants called it "aitch". "Haitch" is to be found furth of Ireland though.

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.