H-dropping
Sign in to saveAlso known as silent H, unaspirated H, aitch-dropping
'''H-dropping or aitch-dropping' is the deletion of the voiceless glottal fricative or "H''-sound", . The phenomenon is common in many dialects of English, and is also found in certain other languages, either as a purely historical development or as a contemporary difference between dialects. Although common in most regions of England and in some other English-speaking countries, and linguistically speaking a neutral evolution in languages, H-dropping is often stigmatized as a sign of careless or uneducated speech, due to its strong association with the lower class.
~19 min read
Article
13 sectionsContents
- In English
- Historical /h/-loss
- Contemporary H-dropping
- Description
- History
- Geographical distribution
- Social distribution and stigmatization
- Use and status of the H-sound in H-dropping dialects
- H-insertion
- List of homophones resulting from H-dropping
- In other languages
- See also
- References
'''H-dropping or aitch-dropping' is the deletion of the voiceless glottal fricative or "H-sound", . The phenomenon is common in many dialects of English, and is also found in certain other languages, either as a purely historical development or as a contemporary difference between dialects. Although common in most regions of England and in some other English-speaking countries, and linguistically speaking a neutral evolution in languages, H-dropping is often stigmatized as a sign of careless or uneducated speech, due to its strong association with the lower class.
The reverse phenomenon, 'H-insertion or H-adding''', is found in certain situations, sometimes as an allophone or hypercorrection by H-dropping speakers, and sometimes as a spelling pronunciation or out of perceived etymological correctness. A particular example of this is the spread of 'haitch' for 'aitch'.