American English (an oxymoron if I ever heard one!) is a work in progress.
They used to make an "s" look like a funny looking "f", for instance. That
was perfectly correct in its time, but no longer. Things change. I think the
bottom line is if you are writing for a particular publication you follow
the guidelines it requires. I think clarity and coherence are far more
important than "correctness". As for me, I prefer "an" historian simply
because it sounds less awkward when spoken. But that'f juft me.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Holland, Jeff" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2003 11:26 AM
Subject: speaking as an/a historian


> I would assume that the use of "an" before words with an asperated "h" is
merely a holdover from English pronunciation, which more consistently drops
the "h" sound. If you are not using English spelling in your writing (e.g.
"colour"), I should think you should not use "an" before historic/al/an etc.
It is not a matter of "correct" English, but simply "preferred" style and
consistency. "Correct" style changes constantly, especially in America,
where we are less concerned with maintaining tradition. We have used the AA
guide for years, but it has no more claim to correctness than the SHA guide
or Chicago Manual. My wife is an editor and she frequently tells me that
what I learned in 8th grade grammar comp is incorrect. But she works at a
newspaper, which used the AP stylebook. So, when the Great Editor (whoever
[whomever?] happens to be editing my work) tells me that's how it's done,
that's how I do it (although I might grumble). Now when the editor tells me
to change the sentence to say something I don't mean? that's when I fight.
>
> Jeff Holland ("An 'istorian")
>
> A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds,
> adored by little statesman and philosophers and divines.
> --Emerson
> btw, if you haven't found this site, it is wonderful for pithy quotes from
people who are better writiers than you: http://www.quotablequotes.net/
>