2007-03-21 03:30:35 · 3 answers · asked by HappyAgain 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
The city was named at a time when 'h' was still pronounced in French. H is basically a Germanic (or Teutonic) sound in French and is still pronounced in German and American English. However, it has become silent in modern French and some varieties of British English. Havre is a Germanic word related to our English word "Harbor."
2007-03-21 07:05:21 · answer #1 · answered by Brennus 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
French words which retain the "le" and "la" before the "h" are all of German origin and therefore aspirated. Le Havre is closely akin to the German word Hafen (cf English haven). Most French words are derived from Latin and the Romans couldn't pronounce their "h"s, a tradition proudly carried on by their descendants.
2007-03-21 03:51:24 · answer #2 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the "h" is what is known as an "aspirate h" - ("Hache aspirée" in French ) - it is also present in words like "la hauteur" - the height, and "le hibou" - the owl.
It is a remnant of a day - now long gone - when French still sounded the h in these and a few other words.
2007-03-21 03:43:28 · answer #3 · answered by GrahamH 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋