Why do Americans pronounce the word 'pasta' in such a strange way?

Given the apparent influence of Italian-Americans on American culture it really seems to be a linguistic oddity.

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I don’t think so. At least not in New Jersey. I did notice midwesterners and Canadians pronounce it “PAH-stah”, that just makes me cringe. Maybe it’s because we have a higher Italian-American population in New Jersey and New York than other places in the USA.

poisonouscupcake · 22-25, F

@MorbidCynic me, a midwesterner

Thodsis · 51-55, M

@MorbidCynic How about vocalising the 'h' in the word 'herbs'? :)

MorbidCynic · F

@Thodsis ahh that I don’t think I do well. Now that I think about it… I don’t really hear it either.

Really · 80-89, M

@Thodsis [quote]How about vocalising the 'h' in the word 'herbs'[/quote]And wy not?