a (indefinite article)

Hello everybody !

I've noted that the indefinite article "a" is sometimes pronounced "weakly" (glottal or uvular, at the very back of the mouth) and sometimes "strongly" (like the "a" in "base"). Could you tell me if these uses depend on specific situations ? When do you pronounce the "strong" form ?

I have an answer based on personal preference.
Never use the pronunciation as in "base" -- the 'strong' form!
To me it sounds like a second-grader who is just learning how to read.

Nevertheless, you will sometimes hear the news on television read in this way, depending on who is reading.    I have to say that it makes me want to throw a shoe at the TV!

CJ

CalifJim wrote:

Nevertheless, you will sometimes hear the news on television read in this way, depending on who is reading.    I have to say that it makes me want to throw a shoe at the TV!

LOL! I've never understood that... I hear "ay" pretty often, I think. I don't think there's a reason... I notice it in slow speech, to draw attention or emphasize something. I always say "uh", anyway.
Btw,I also hear "the" pronounced "thee", but that happens when there's nothing that follows, like in:
So we have thee... uh, thee... th-uh new server that is blah blah...