Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[1W5]

I've just found in a novel an uncommon word structure and I'm a little bit clueless.

For example:

1. 'As 'er own ideas, she 'as, about what she'll do.
2. Awful temper she 'as, and the airs she gives 'erself!

The first letter (here: "H") of some words are always missing.

Do you have any idea what should this mean? Make that sense? Is this a way to be shorten a sentence? I've never seen before this word structure.

[Lorikeet]

It is showing a dialect of English in which the initial "h" is not pronounced. I've read it in books but I don't really know where it's spoken because I'm not from England.

Did you understand if you put the "h" in?

[teacherBob]

Many working class areas drop their 'H's, It was a sign of your up-bringing. If you had a good education you would be forced to pronounce your 'H's.

Interestingly this style of speaking is making a comeback with some singers (and other celebs) using'mockney', which is where they deliberately drop their 'h's instead of speaking with their normal accent!

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/british/mockney

[1W5]

Thanks for your answers!

You're right. The story takes place in England. Yes, I've understood the sentences though I was wondering about the unusual abbreviation. Therefore I supposed that it might be slang or a local dialect.