dokterjokkebrok  +  860617 Thu, 13 Aug 09 08:42 PM Hi there, I was wondering about the following matter: Why do we use  the indef. art.         a -> /ə/ before words that start with a consonant sound? And why do we use the indef. art.   an ->/ən/ before words that start with a vowel sound? The same with the definite article – pronounced like /ðə/  and  /ði/ Does someone know if there's a phonetic/phonological or any other reason forthis phenomenon? I've searched through a whole lot of literature to find out about this, but so far I haven't found anything yet. Thank you for your reply/replies. Jordy  dokterjokkebrok Joined on Sun, Jun 21 2009 The Netherlands Full Member 226 "Experience is the name we all give to our mistakes." Oscar Wilde Articles, Literature, Definite Articles, Vowels, Consonants, Pronunciation, Speaking

	ferdis  +  860626 Thu, 13 Aug 09 08:53 PM I'm guessing here, but I think it is simply because pronouncing two consecutive vowel sounds is a bit of a tongue twister and disrupts the flow. ferdis Joined on Tue, Aug 4 2009 The Netherlands Full Member 388 Vowels, Pronunciation, Speaking

	Clive  +  861101 Fri, 14 Aug 09 04:00 AM Hi, I agree. It's easy for me to say 'an egg'. It's harder for me to say 'a egg'.   Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,583 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo Pronunciation, Speaking