This error is linked to particular dialects of English. For some individuals, the word ask poses a problem. You may have heard sentences such as, “May I ax you a question?” Of course, the speaker intends to say ask, but the s and k sounds are transposed so that it sounds like ax, as in the tool used to chop wood. For those who have difficulty pronouncing this word, just remember that the s comes before the k, not the other way around.
When writing in the African-American vernacular, what is the “correct” spelling of this word? Aks, ax, or axe?
“Modern dialectal ax is as old as O.E. acsian and was an accepted literary variant until c.1600.”
(taken from http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=ask)
In fact, “ask” was originally the “incorrect” usage.
I don’t agree. This varies by dialect. In African-American Vernacular English, this pronunciation is accepted and internally valid. I think you’re talking about “regionally-appropriate”, not “correct” pronunciation
I agree with Andy.
I despise this ridiculous reply to the question of “ax” vs “ask”. Ax is never never never acceptable for correct English. Is it a common mistake, especially in the African American vernacular? YES, but that does not make it right… Lets try to teach people the correct way to speak our beautiful language instead of copping out and saying that AX is ok in some sub cultures of our country. Ax instead of Ask is just as wrong as I Seen, instead of I saw… or as wrong as I done instead of I did… Get it right, say it right, and maybe teach somebody something by your good example.
I think this is a rather culturally insensitive way of looking at it! “I seen” and “I done” are also internally correct in some dialects – different dialects are governed by different rules. I, myself, am British, so I don’t speak write your beautiful language in the correct way – I pronounce “awe” in the same way as “or”, and I spell “-or” words such as “color” and “favor” with “-our” instead. But this doesn’t mean I’m doing any damage to your language – I’m simply respecting the rules of a variant.