H-dropping

H-dropping refers to the omission of the initial ⟨h⟩ sound in words where it is present in the standard pronunciation. This phonological phenomenon is observed in various dialects of English around the world, including certain British, American, and Caribbean dialects. H-dropping is a feature that can distinguish regional and social varieties of English, affecting the perception and analysis of speech patterns among speakers.

Overview

The process of H-dropping involves the deletion of the voiceless glottal fricative /h/ at the beginning of words. For example, "house" becomes "ouse," and "happy" becomes "appy." This feature is particularly noted in informal speech and certain dialects rather than in the standard language. The occurrence of H-dropping is not random but is influenced by linguistic, social, and regional factors.

Historical Background

H-dropping in English has historical roots, with evidence of its occurrence in both Old and Middle English periods. During the evolution of English, the pronunciation of the initial ⟨h⟩ has undergone significant changes, with H-dropping becoming a marked feature of certain dialects by the Modern English period. The phenomenon has been subject to social evaluation, often being associated with lower social status or lack of education, although such perceptions vary widely across different contexts.

Linguistic Description

In linguistic terms, H-dropping is characterized by the absence of the /h/ sound in word-initial position. This can lead to homophony between words that are otherwise distinguished by the presence or absence of initial ⟨h⟩, such as "heir" and "air." The occurrence of H-dropping is influenced by phonological, syntactic, and morphological factors, including the position of the word in a sentence, the stress pattern, and the morphological structure of the word.

Regional Variations

H-dropping is not uniformly distributed across English-speaking regions. It is a prominent feature of certain British dialects, particularly those of England's working-class communities in London, the Midlands, and the North. In the United States, H-dropping is observed in some African American Vernacular English (AAVE) varieties and in certain Southern dialects. The phenomenon is also present in varieties of English spoken in the Caribbean and other parts of the world where English has come into contact with other languages.

Social Implications

The social implications of H-dropping are complex and vary by region. In some contexts, H-dropping is stigmatized and associated with informal speech or lower socio-economic status. In other contexts, it may be a neutral or even valued feature of regional identity. The perception of H-dropping is influenced by attitudes towards language variation and change, as well as broader social and cultural factors.

See Also

• Phonological history of English consonants
• Regional accents of English
• Social class and language