I admit I don't follow the grammar rules (and am not insane enough to think I can force my variations on others). My plan: I try to write a/an based on graphical clues (is the next written letter a vowel or not) and speak using sound clues (is the next phoneme (or whatever you are allowed to call it) vowel like or not). My twinge-worthy moment is the way-over the top British "an 'ospital."
Comments
I admit I don't follow the grammar rules (and am not insane enough to think I can force my variations on others). My plan: I try to write a/an based on graphical clues (is the next written letter a vowel or not) and speak using sound clues (is the next phoneme (or whatever you are allowed to call it) vowel like or not). My twinge-worthy moment is the way-over the top British "an 'ospital."