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[โ€“] 5 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Europe is an exception to the rule as are others. As a native speaker I'd never even noticed this; but An European immediately sounds wrong; just like putting 'an' instead of 'a' UFO/unit/one etc... sounds wrong.

English eh, Why would it be consistent?

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  • [โ€“] 3 points 1 year ago (3 children)

    Isn't it consistent though? It's pronounced "juropean", so it does not start woth a vowel-sound, which is the (consistent) rule as I've learned it. I believe this only has to do with the ease of which it is pronounced. Preceeding "an" to any vowel-sound makes the pronounciation flow better. Same with "a" before any consonant-sound.

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  • [โ€“] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

    I wasn't aware the rule was based on phonetics; I was one of the many under the impression that the actual lettering that is the defining article (much like OP). I think it's due to being monolingual. English being the only language I know.... a lot of the languages rules are known subconsciously.

    IE: I knew it's 'a one'; rather than 'an one'... But couldn't have told you why, other than it doesn't sound right.

    Edit: why was this downvoted? Is admitting you didn't know something considered bad now?

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