Herb (Was Re: Harry and Hairy - The Difference.)

[thekrenz]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Donna" <donnawonna at ...> 
wrote:
>
> Donna:
> Here in Dayton, Ohio, we pronounce "herb" as:
>     erb (no "h")  - spice/seasoning
>     Herb ("h") - male name, short for Herbert (spelling?)
> Spelling is NOT my strong point :-(
> 
> > Goddlefrood:
> > Anyway, what I'd like to know from our Amewrican friends is why 
on 
> > earth do you not pronounce the h in herb.
> 
> Goddlefrood:
> 
> Any Americans should also feel free to answer :-)


I am American, raised by parents from Canada and New York while 
living in South Carolina from the age of 6.  My accent is slightly 
southern, but heavily influenced by my parents.  I make a concerted 
effort NOT to use the typical southern drawl and teach my children 
the same.  I pronounce herb and Herb the same as Donna.  

Now I have a question for our British friends:  I have heard the 
word "disoriented" spoken by different people while watching 
BBCAmerica and the pronounciation baffles me.  It is said 
disorienTATed.  The caps are not stress, but to point out the 
apparent addition of letters.  Why is that?  Or is the word spelled 
differently in British English?  Aluminum is another case in which I 
have heard British people add,in this case only one extra 
letter...aluminIum.  

Just things I have been curious about...no offense intended.

Cyndi