He's a bit slow to the party isn't he if all he's noticed is the haitch? Aitch itself is probably a mutation from much further back in time.
On that point, what is Wales doing in the Thames? Oh I see! You meant whales. Why didn't you say so? Or should that be wat are wales doing in the Thames? Tems.
I don't think he was on the BBC's Christmas (sorry - Seasonal Festivity) Party list...but this makes it a definite no.
As I understand it, the "haitch" pronunciation has been a dialectical variant for centuries, so it's nothing new and has some intrinsic sense to it since it references a "h" sound. The BBC has previously avoided it perhaps but I am not too concerned about it...There is far less risk of ambiguity than with "free/three", "four/thaw", "heart/art" etc etc.
I think the Beeb's acceptance of 'haitch' was inspired by a Guardian article, a few years ago, which praised the mispronunciation for its 'working-class authenticity' and dismissed 'aitch' as 'posh'. 'Haitch' is, of course, an example of hypercorrection - the speaker is aware that aitch-dropping is a solecism & compensates by inserting them where they are not needed.
A bit like the BBC continuity announcer who says ‘it’s free firty on Chooseday’.
ReplyDeleteHe's a bit slow to the party isn't he if all he's noticed is the haitch? Aitch itself is probably a mutation from much further back in time.
ReplyDeleteOn that point, what is Wales doing in the Thames? Oh I see! You meant whales. Why didn't you say so?
Or should that be wat are wales doing in the Thames? Tems.
Stewie Griffin and whip?
DeleteI don't think he was on the BBC's Christmas (sorry - Seasonal Festivity) Party list...but this makes it a definite no.
ReplyDeleteAs I understand it, the "haitch" pronunciation has been a dialectical variant for centuries, so it's nothing new and has some intrinsic sense to it since it references a "h" sound. The BBC has previously avoided it perhaps but I am not too concerned about it...There is far less risk of ambiguity than with "free/three", "four/thaw", "heart/art" etc etc.
I thought perverse cockneys, who invariably drop the 'orrible 'h' but always say 'haitch', pioneered this. No idea why it's seeped onto BBC news.
ReplyDeleteI think the Beeb's acceptance of 'haitch' was inspired by a Guardian article, a few years ago, which praised the mispronunciation for its 'working-class authenticity' and dismissed 'aitch' as 'posh'. 'Haitch' is, of course, an example of hypercorrection - the speaker is aware that aitch-dropping is a solecism & compensates by inserting them where they are not needed.
Delete