[NHCOLL-L:1384] RE: Er barium ?

[Michael Cooper]

> > I have a problem with "aN herbarium" too ... perhaps I'm 
> just pedantic.
> 
> ..a problem even when the person pronounces it "er-barium" ?

But you're spelling it "herbarium" ... which, in theory anyway, 'as an
haspirated "aitch."

According to the authorities on the rules of English I have here, there are
only 4 English words (and their derivatives) beginning with "h" that require
"an." These are honour, honest, heir, and hotel.

As I understand it, (mis)pronunciation doesn't affect the "rules" of
writing. You might say "an 'erbarium" but you should write "a herbarium"
unless you're quoting someone's  way of speaking. Similar arguments apply to
"historical" or "historian." Perhaps such words are slowly losing their
aspirated H's.

w'o cares? Such arguments can run and run ...

Mick

Michael P. Cooper
Registrar, Nottingham Museums & Galleries
Direct Line: 0115 915 3671
Fax: 0115 915 3601