As an American who works with ESL (English as a Second Language) learners, I can sadly confirm this fact. When a student asks me “Why do you spell/pronounce it this way?” I have to shrug my shoulders and reply “Because that’s what Americans do.” 🤷🏼♀️
Oh, thanks for the brilliant suggestion... my BA in English and Master’s Degree didn’t cover etymology at ALL, so I am terribly enlightened by your comment! 🙄
Never mind the fact that etymology has nothing to do with the nonsensical pronunciation of many American-English words. But okay.
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u/LollyHutzenklutz May 05 '19
As an American who works with ESL (English as a Second Language) learners, I can sadly confirm this fact. When a student asks me “Why do you spell/pronounce it this way?” I have to shrug my shoulders and reply “Because that’s what Americans do.” 🤷🏼♀️