Not the English Who Drop the H?

It is not the English who drop the letter H (aitch) ungrammatically from some words, but the London-born Cockneys and some other regionals.

How many Americans say “erb” to the English “herb”--”uman” and “umor” where the English say human and humor?

Definition: Words that came from old French into English had no H sound--hospital, host, exhort, herb, humble, humor, hour. By the 18th Century these had gradually changed except for hair, honest, honor, heir. Most gained the H pronunciation including herb, hostler (host), homage, humble, humor, hotel, human, etc.

This also applies to H in the middle of words--silent in shepherd, forehead, vehement, vehicle, etc.

Would anyone today say “istorical” or “ysterical”? Very unlikely, unless uneducated.

The use of “an” in place of “a” before these words and some others is for pleasing and rhythmical sound. Just try listening to it, as English schoolchildren are taught. It is the same as the French use of du not de le-- unpleasant to hear.

SONIA GALVIN Studio City I was amused to read George Johnson’s letter (Jan. 4) about “haitches,” because in fact, the reverse of his claim is correct. In England, it is only the uneducated or dialect speakers who drop the “haitch.” Educated people always articulate the “haitch,” whereas in the United States most people drop the “haitch” most of the time. For example, I always seem to hear “uman” instead of “human,” and “erb” instead of “herb.”

I do not know if Johnson always articulates his “haitches,” but if he does, I can assure him that he is very much in a minority.

GEORGE BANKS Tujunga