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"a" or "an"

  • righteous_trespasser
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Post January 8th, 2010, 11:25 am

Interesting question - would it be "a hawaiian party" or "an hawaiian party" ... we're writing an invite and we're not sure ...
Let's leave all our *plum* where it is and go live in the jungle ...
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Post January 8th, 2010, 11:25 am

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Post January 8th, 2010, 12:32 pm

Use the one that leaves your mouth and tongue in the best position to start saying the next word.
Strong with this one, the sudo is.
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Post January 8th, 2010, 2:01 pm

I think saying "an" would be proper english, but I've never heard anyone ever actually heard anyone say it before except for hoity toity people on tv. If you use "a" nobody will scrutinize you for it.

By the way, its nice to see you're alive R_T! I figured you were probably drunk and passed out in a gutter all these months.
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Post January 8th, 2010, 2:40 pm

Since the H is silent "an hawaiian party" is correct
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Post January 8th, 2010, 3:17 pm

ATNO/TW wrote:
Since the H is silent "an hawaiian party" is correct


The H is silent? since when?

I am quite interested in hearing how you say Hawaiian now.
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Post January 8th, 2010, 3:51 pm

Like I said, use whatever leaves your mouth right. Chances are the people receiving your invitations are going to have the same accent as you, right ? :)

The H isn't silent where I'm from. You try to pronounce it without there H here and someone might think you're talking about a bottle of wine.
Strong with this one, the sudo is.
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Post January 8th, 2010, 4:01 pm

In a news article from the AP...

Quote:
President Barack Obama ended a Hawaiian vacation to return Monday to the Washington he never really escaped.


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld ... 9614.story

//it should be noted that examples of both ("a", "an") can be found.
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Post January 8th, 2010, 4:05 pm

But then there's this...

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_it_a_Hawai ... &src=ansTT

I pronounce the H, too. Maybe that should be the determining factor.
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Post January 8th, 2010, 11:12 pm

Is an hawalian party.
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Post January 9th, 2010, 7:24 am

kc0tma wrote:
By the way, its nice to see you're alive R_T! I figured you were probably drunk and passed out in a gutter all these months.


I have been pretty drinked and *cough* smoked up the last while ... I actually bought two foosball tables and have been spending a lot of time on that aswell ... I've become pretty adept at it ...

This is quite a tough one for me ... "an" says a bit easier, but neither really sound correct ... I think I am going to use "an" though ...

Thanks for all the replies ...
Let's leave all our *plum* where it is and go live in the jungle ...
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Post January 9th, 2010, 11:02 am

So, are we all intvited to the Hawaiian themes foosball party?
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Post January 9th, 2010, 8:18 pm

Having been there twice, I can assure you Somoan natives pronounce the 'H' as well. That makes 'a' the correct choice here.
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Post January 11th, 2010, 1:17 am

UPSGuy wrote:
Having been there twice, I can assure you Somoan natives pronounce the 'H' as well. That makes 'a' the correct choice here.

I hear what you're saying ... but I have been listening to the people around me speak, and even though they think they do, they do not pronounce the H. So for me here in SA it would make sense to use the "an".
Let's leave all our *plum* where it is and go live in the jungle ...
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Post January 11th, 2010, 3:57 am

It's A HAWAIIAN!!!!!


Since when H is among vocals???? How canit be an?

You do not go to Awaii on vacation, do you?
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Post January 11th, 2010, 9:54 am

Well lol

Its not a huh "awaiian party", thats how it exits my mouth anyway....:mrgreen:

I can't explain it...

..An Hawaiian party"

I always thought silent was only in 'Honour'!
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Post January 11th, 2010, 9:54 am

1, 2, 3

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