(SNIP)

>> If one looks at the periodic chart of the elements:
>> http://www.webelements.com/, one instantly notices that the majority of
>> elements have names ending in '-ium'.
>> However, the American language has chosen to drop that in the case of
>> 'aluminium' in favour of 'aluminum'. In British English the
>> pronunciation of aluminium follows the correct spelling of aluminium.
>
>Good.
>Now can you explain why "Hermione" is pronounced her-MAI-nee ?


And can you tell me why Americans drop the h in herbs and pronounce
the word erbs? And why the Catholic university of Notre Dame is
pronounced "Noter Dayme" thus absolutely wrecking its beautiful French
name?

One could go on, but it gets tedious.

Cheers

Daisy