Originally Posted by Jo Kim, BBC Pronunciation Unit
British English dictionaries give aytch as the standard pronunciation for the letter H. However, the pronunciation haytch is also attested as a legitimate variant. We also do not ask broadcasters who naturally say haytch to change their pronunciation but if a broadcaster contacted to ask us, we would tell them that aytch is regarded as the standard pronunciation in British English, people can feel very strongly about this and this pronunciation is less likely to attract audience complaints.
Haytch is a standard pronunciation in Irish English and is increasingly being used by native English-speaking people all across the country, irrespective of geographical provenance or social standing. Polls have shown that the uptake of haytch by younger native speakers is on the rise. Schoolchildren repeatedly being told not to drop Hs may cause them to hyper-correct and insert them where they don't exist.
I have to say, as a Scottish viewer, I've never even noticed Alex's H's. But then haytch is the pronunciation used by most people in my location, although I did have to think about it for a bit as I wasn't entirely sure of my natural pronunciation.
And I don't think that it is a sign of ignorance, certainly I was never informed to either drop or ennounciate my h's in school and that was some time ago for me.
Perhaps it is only in certain southern locations where this is an issue?
Althoough I have to say she is a bit dim and I would prefer Louise Minchin, but she has improved lately mostly by speaking a lot less. The last two days were a bit bland.
I have to say, as a Scottish viewer, I've never even noticed Alex's H's. But then haytch is the pronunciation used by most people in my location, although I did have to think about it for a bit as I wasn't entirely sure of my natural pronunciation.
And I don't think that it is a sign of ignorance, certainly I was never informed to either drop or ennounciate my h's in school and that was some time ago for me.
Perhaps it is only in certain southern locations where this is an issue?
Althoough I have to say she is a bit dim and I would prefer Louise Minchin, but she has improved lately mostly by speaking a lot less. The last two days were a bit bland.
I am in Edinburgh and my kids are taught that it's 'Aitch' at school.
Maybe they are allowing people to get away with it for fear of
upsetting them.
When you say NHS, do you add on the h?
I am in Edinburgh and my kids are taught that it's 'Aitch' at school.
Maybe they are allowing people to get away with it for fear of
upsetting them.
When you say NHS, do you add on the h?
Snap, me too! Never considered it to be adding a H given the word starts with it, although I suppose that is just my ignorance then? It is a soft H not a hard H but I suppose that doesn't matter to you.
As to current school teaching practices, I wouldn't know as it would require me to know the exact school of which you are speaking therefore I will bow to your superior knowledge.
All I can say is that this type of pronunciation distinction was never included in my personal education and I certainly wouldn't look down on anyone just because they spoke differently.
She is a lot brighter than Baker, much better without him tonight. No doubt his smug features will appear somewhere this weekend.[/QUOTE
Oh dear absence certainly doesn't make your heart grow fonder does it. Of course MR BAKER will be on Countryfile this weekend with the lovely Julia and should hopefully be on Countyrtracks so it could be a double whammy on Sunday. How will you cope. Might even get the odd newsaper article or two as well.BLISS:D:D:D
She is a lot brighter than Baker, much better without him tonight. No doubt his smug features will appear somewhere this weekend.[/QUOTE
Oh dear absence certainly doesn't make your heart grow fonder does it. Of course MR BAKER will be on Countryfile this weekend with the lovely Julia and should hopefully be on Countyrtracks so it could be a double whammy on Sunday. How will you cope. Might even get the odd newsaper article or two as well.BLISS:D:D:D
She is a lot brighter than Baker, much better without him tonight. No doubt his smug features will appear somewhere this weekend.
Do you have any hobbies apart from your devotion to Matt Baker? :yawn:
Back to Alex Jones. This thing with haitch instead of aitch is probably linked to English being her second language although it's a tame excuse. "The lights are are on but nobody's at home."
With abit of luck we will see him on Country tracks sunday morning 11am!:D
The reason his shall we say good looking features are not on the One show is because hes doing some work for Comic relief! Helping those who are less fortunate!
No self-promoting, making the gullible amongst us believe he really cares. At least now I know he is on it I will make sure I don't watch any of it. The worst I ever seen on TV EVEN WORSE THAN ANT AND DEC OR CILLA BLACK.
Do you have any hobbies apart from your devotion to Matt Baker? :yawn:
Back to Alex Jones. This thing with haitch instead of aitch is probably linked to English being her second language although it's a tame excuse. "The lights are are on but nobody's at home."
Still better and more eloquent than dunce features Baker.
No self-promoting, making the gullible amongst us believe he really cares. At least now I know he is on it I will make sure I don't watch any of it. The worst I ever seen on TV EVEN WORSE THAN ANT AND DEC OR CILLA BLACK.
Thats a really good idea. reach for the off button, dont watch and then we won't have to put up with any of your c**p.:):)
No self-promoting, making the gullible amongst us believe he really cares. At least now I know he is on it I will make sure I don't watch any of it. The worst I ever seen on TV EVEN WORSE THAN ANT AND DEC OR CILLA BLACK.
Thats a really good idea. reach for the off button, dont watch and then we won't have to put up with any of your c**p.:):) Matt rules
No self-promoting, making the gullible amongst us believe he really cares. At least now I know he is on it I will make sure I don't watch any of it. The worst I ever seen on TV EVEN WORSE THAN ANT AND DEC OR CILLA BLACK.
Wow you must really love matt :eek: BTW doing work for chairty is not self promotion.You are talking even more c**p then you usually do and as Louseater said if you do not like matt then they is a off button to use
Wow you must really love matt :eek: BTW doing work for chairty is not self promotion.You are talking even more c**p then you usually do and as Louseater said if you do not like matt then they is a off button to use
You think that this guy really cares you must be totally deluded. The reason these so called celebrities come on charity shows is to promote themselves aren't I good. This guy comes across as more self-obsessed than most. I am not talking crap this guy is really poor, what has he ever done that is good.
I reckon the BBC gave her the job on Let's Dance to spite Christine but it just shows them and Alex up, and makes everyone realise how much better a presenter Christine is.
I reckon the BBC gave her the job on Let's Dance to spite Christine but it just shows them and Alex up, and makes everyone realise how much better a presenter Christine is.
Any fool can be a presenter and the Blokely proved it.
You think that this guy really cares you must be totally deluded. The reason these so called celebrities come on charity shows is to promote themselves aren't I good. This guy comes across as more self-obsessed than most. I am not talking crap this guy is really poor, what has he ever done that is good.
Is it celebs that you have a problem with or just Matt in particular?
You think that this guy really cares you must be totally deluded. The reason these so called celebrities come on charity shows is to promote themselves aren't I good. This guy comes across as more self-obsessed than most. I am not talking crap this guy is really poor, what has he ever done that is good.
Oh, Ian, Ian, Adria............errrrr Ian. It is really theraputic to get it all out, don't hold back.
i really feel for you, my poor darling, so much pent up emotion and frustration.
Matt must really have hurt you badly
Feel the love:)
Or better still, tune into the One Show on Monday, relax and just bask in the good vibes coming from the TV.
Oh, Ian, Ian, Adria............errrrr Ian. It is really theraputic to get it all out, don't hold back.
i really feel for you, my poor darling, so much pent up emotion and frustration.
Matt must really have hurt you badly
Feel the love:)
Or better still, tune into the One Show on Monday, relax and just bask in the good vibes coming from the TV.
go on....you know it makes sense:D
I wouldn't worry, they will find someone else to start on soon. Already Christine Bleakley is being talked of as a great presenter when only a few months ago she was getting all the bile addressed at Alex Jones at the moment.
I reckon the BBC gave her the job on Let's Dance to spite Christine but it just shows them and Alex up, and makes everyone realise how much better a presenter Christine is.
The BBC had always intended to build up Christine and she was earmarked as ''the face of the Olympics'' whatever that means. It was also one of the reasons her then-agent (she later sacked him) advised her not to move to ITV.I think we can all draw our own conclusions about the wisdom of her decision to switch sofas.
Is it celebs that you have a problem with or just Matt in particular?
I don't like the current culture and shows like the contrived dancing show make it worse. Baker is the most annoying at the moment as he is on so much with so few qualities other than looks and physique.
Comments
I have to say, as a Scottish viewer, I've never even noticed Alex's H's. But then haytch is the pronunciation used by most people in my location, although I did have to think about it for a bit as I wasn't entirely sure of my natural pronunciation.
And I don't think that it is a sign of ignorance, certainly I was never informed to either drop or ennounciate my h's in school and that was some time ago for me.
Perhaps it is only in certain southern locations where this is an issue?
Althoough I have to say she is a bit dim and I would prefer Louise Minchin, but she has improved lately mostly by speaking a lot less. The last two days were a bit bland.
I am in Edinburgh and my kids are taught that it's 'Aitch' at school.
Maybe they are allowing people to get away with it for fear of
upsetting them.
When you say NHS, do you add on the h?
Snap, me too! Never considered it to be adding a H given the word starts with it, although I suppose that is just my ignorance then? It is a soft H not a hard H but I suppose that doesn't matter to you.
As to current school teaching practices, I wouldn't know as it would require me to know the exact school of which you are speaking therefore I will bow to your superior knowledge.
All I can say is that this type of pronunciation distinction was never included in my personal education and I certainly wouldn't look down on anyone just because they spoke differently.
Do you have any hobbies apart from your devotion to Matt Baker? :yawn:
Back to Alex Jones. This thing with haitch instead of aitch is probably linked to English being her second language although it's a tame excuse. "The lights are are on but nobody's at home."
No self-promoting, making the gullible amongst us believe he really cares. At least now I know he is on it I will make sure I don't watch any of it. The worst I ever seen on TV EVEN WORSE THAN ANT AND DEC OR CILLA BLACK.
Still better and more eloquent than dunce features Baker.
Thats a really good idea. reach for the off button, dont watch and then we won't have to put up with any of your c**p.:):)
Thats a really good idea. reach for the off button, dont watch and then we won't have to put up with any of your c**p.:):) Matt rules
Wow you must really love matt :eek: BTW doing work for chairty is not self promotion.You are talking even more c**p then you usually do
You think that this guy really cares you must be totally deluded. The reason these so called celebrities come on charity shows is to promote themselves aren't I good. This guy comes across as more self-obsessed than most. I am not talking crap this guy is really poor, what has he ever done that is good.
Any fool can be a presenter and the Blokely proved it.
Is it celebs that you have a problem with or just Matt in particular?
Oh, Ian, Ian, Adria............errrrr Ian. It is really theraputic to get it all out, don't hold back.
i really feel for you, my poor darling, so much pent up emotion and frustration.
Matt must really have hurt you badly
Feel the love:)
Or better still, tune into the One Show on Monday, relax and just bask in the good vibes coming from the TV.
go on....you know it makes sense:D
I wouldn't worry, they will find someone else to start on soon. Already Christine Bleakley is being talked of as a great presenter when only a few months ago she was getting all the bile addressed at Alex Jones at the moment.
The BBC had always intended to build up Christine and she was earmarked as ''the face of the Olympics'' whatever that means. It was also one of the reasons her then-agent (she later sacked him) advised her not to move to ITV.I think we can all draw our own conclusions about the wisdom of her decision to switch sofas.
Love the accent too!
I don't like the current culture and shows like the contrived dancing show make it worse. Baker is the most annoying at the moment as he is on so much with so few qualities other than looks and physique.