Use of 'a' instead of 'an' before a vowel sound

[WhenDovesFly]

I'm seeing this more and more, not just here on MN but on social media in general.

For example, someone writing a apple, or a elephant. Unless in their head they're sounding the 'a' as you would when reciting the alphabet, then it doesn't even sound right, as well as being grammatically incorrect.

It makes me want to scream when I notice it.

[NQOTDarling]

@DysonBison

Is this maybe a second or third language thing? In the same way French people must notice every misplaced la or le?

Not necessarily! Heard many native English speakers using it over past couple of years.
Cannot understand why, it is so much harder to say a apple than an apple!

[NQOTDarling]

@RubyRoss

In a different vein, the construction 'an otel' instead of 'a hotel' drives me crazy when I hear it. Mainly by older newsreaders here in Ireland. I assume they were formally taught to do this.

that is how I was taught to say it. Also easier than saying a hotel!

[evilharpy]

I would say an hotel and an historic, but not an hospital.

[ScentOfAMemory]

The rest of the thread explains why @evilharpy

[Konfetka]

@NQOTDarling

Not necessarily! Heard many native English speakers using it over past couple of years.
Cannot understand why, it is so much harder to say a apple than an apple!

Indeed, I would call that "n" a lubricating consonant.

[Katherine1985]

@WhenDovesFly

I'm in UK and late 50s and remember being taught 'an otel', so yes it was formally taught. I don't tend to use it now and prefer to say a hotel.

That’s what my grandmother was taught too!

Also we were taught that when we use a French word beginning with ‘h’ it’s silent as in ‘an otel’ but the circumflex above the ‘o’ in a French word usually means a related English word would have an ‘s’ after: so otel/hostel, cote/coast etc

So, an otel, but a hostel (because original English form). Interestingly the meanings have diverged and a hostel is a distinct thing now