In all the other english speaking countries it is pronounced properly. Is it correct in the U.S. to call Uncle Herbert Uncle Erbert?
It sounds like a very silly affectation.
2006-10-16 16:45:26 · 22 answers · asked by steve b 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
Not everyone in the U.S. pronounces "herb" like "erb".
Usually it just depends what part of the U.S. you come from.
Theres different accents. So its not really saying incorrectly it just most of the peoples accents. Like a southen accent or boston accent. Or some of the people just dont realize their saying it wrong
2006-10-16 16:56:29 · answer #1 · answered by † Ville & Bam♥ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
H can be pronounced in the US... it depends on where in the US you happen to be and who is saying it, the reason why H is dropped in many different words is because of the Spanish language influences in the US and unlike other English nations, America's version of English is very much influenced by the nationalities and languages spoken by the people who move here, making it a melting pot language that is constantly being changed... but of course all languages are in constant progression... but American dictionaries add more words per year than any other nation... and also remember that the US has no "national language"... English was just the main one spoken by its settlers and what the majority of the laws were written in due to this fact... as for Uncle Herbert... it can be pronounced either way depending on how your Uncle prefers and the area he grew up in... although the H is usually pronounced
2006-10-16 16:58:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, you wouldn't call him Uncle Erbert in the U.S., you'd call him Uncle Herbert. Pronunciation of the same word in the same language varies from region to region. That goes for any language, not just English.
2006-10-16 16:48:30 · answer #3 · answered by Me 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i'm in simple terms approximately 50 and the 1st time I heard absolutely everyone in usa say Herb with the "H" sounded become in a television commercial that become attempting (lamely) to pun herb with the call "Herb". in any different case i've got in basic terms heard it stated "erb". edit i'm going to concur with what Cat says.
2016-11-23 15:32:30 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in the U.S and I have never pronounced it Erbert and I have never heard anyone pronounce it like that, so I don't know what you are talking about and I don't you you do either.
Also, who the heck names their kid Herbert?
2006-10-16 16:57:06 · answer #5 · answered by xoxo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why do we say an hour rather than a hour? In fact, the 'h' is silent in hour because it is easier to say...same as heuristic etc. Often these words are all preceded by 'an' rather than 'a'. The basis of this is the French language so whilst the 'septics' need shooting for leaving the 'w' of the word 'wholism' (as spelt in the more civilised world) it this situation blame the French! But it's a toss up which country is the bigger tosser!
2006-10-16 17:38:46 · answer #6 · answered by marimu 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Across the US, "herb" is a guy's name. "erb" is something like basil and oregano. Your uncle is not a spice. Therefore he's Herbert. I'm serious, I've known people from all coasts of the US and I've never heard someone say they need Herbs for pasta.
2006-10-16 16:55:42 · answer #7 · answered by chefgrille 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
its called erb ere an all an leave me uncle erbert out on it
2006-10-16 16:54:40 · answer #8 · answered by keny 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think it originated from some poncey French chef - they can't/don't/won't pronounce things starting with the letter "H" properly and the yanks thought it was the 'in thing' to copy them. Came a bit unstuck on that one, didn't they!
2006-10-16 17:03:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do they say 'erb' in US? Huh, I didn't know that. I guess it's just regional thing though...it's probably like some UK people pronouncing 'isn't it' as 'inint', or 'water' as 'wa er'
2006-10-16 16:59:14 · answer #10 · answered by ono 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋