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From: loki harfagr <loki@theDarkDesign.free.fr>
Subject: Re: using "an"
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Date: 03 May 2008 18:51:44 GMT
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On Sat, 03 May 2008 15:12:25 +0200, Einde O'Callaghan wrote:
> loki harfagr wrote:
>> On Fri, 02 May 2008 22:15:51 +0200, Einde O'Callaghan wrote:
>>
>>> loki harfagr wrote:
>>>> On Thu, 01 May 2008 11:18:21 +0200, Daniel.C wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Hi.
>>>>> I learned to use "an" before a noun beginning by a vowel.
>>>> a *vowel sound* (not like for the 'the' case ;-)
>>>>
>>>>> I think this
>>>>> is correct :
>>>>> an user
>>>> no, the 'u' here's a special diphtong
>>>>
>>>>> but I read so many "a user" that I don't know what to think. Can you
>>>>> help me ?
>>>> I'd pronounce '"er" user' or in some circles I'd even try
>>>> the '"ay" user', in some other circles that'll be 'a luser' ;-)
>>>>
>>>>> Thanks in advance.
>>>>> Daniel
>>>> hope it helped :-)
>>>>
>>> It doesn't look at all helpful to me. Pierre H. has given the right
>>> answer - the use of "a" or "an" depends on pronunciation, not
>>> spelling.
>>
>> then as my answer was all about pronunciation I can't
>> really understand your remark! Anyway, the OP seems to have read it
>> correctly so at least I didn't totally miss my post ;-)
>
> If that's the case you were also wrong - the pronunciation of the glide
> between teh article and the noun doesn't have any trace of an "r" in it
> at all
correct, but I wasn't using IPA or SAMPA, I just used the
closest english word "er", you know that word, don't you?
> - "ah yoozer", using English orthography.
Now, you certainly have an accent or a loose way to read your
own explainations ;D)
> And the sound represented by the "u" is not a diphthong of any kind
You're mad and/or after me and/or shocked?
> - it
> starts with the consonant sound represented by "y" in English and is
> followed by a long "u" sound - even if in some linguistic texts the
> former sound is described as a semi-vowel, it is still a consonant.
You're giving too much importance to the idea of your own
importance when you have an idea ;-)
I'll admit the wikipedia is not exactly as "solid" a
reference as could be some but in case you'd like to try
and modify this page because their sample about the sound
of the "u" in 'user'
(IPA "ju", SAMPA "j}:" sample-word: "pupil")
doesn't really fit your need to believe and make
believe people that I'm all evil, go for it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAMPA_chart_for_English
>
> If you are going to give advice about pronunciation then please try to
> get it right.
right, and if you're in deep need to give advice about a
given advice please try to do it without feathers.
(FU2 tuned)
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