Why is the computer algorithm A* pronounced eh-star? Was the inventor
perhaps Canadian? Any links to an explanation online or in a
publication would be appreciated.

Thanks.

I've found only one online reference to a pronunciation of "eh-star,"
and dozens of references that give the pronunciation as "A-star".

Hi Chris,
My AI textbook gives the pronunciation of A* as A-star, and my
instructor pronounces so as well.  Perhaps your instructor is Canadian
or Australian :-)

secret901-ga

Bonzer, cobber, We can take it down under in OZ. But how on earth can
you confuse an Aussie accent with the half frog accents of our beloved
Canadian friends. We only ever insult our friends. No hard feelings
Canada. And do you know, where I am we actually have kangaroos grazing
in our local cemetary.

Dear Chris572,

It's just possible that there is some misunderstanding here.  How do
you understand "eh" to be pronounced?  I take this as a spelling out
of the name of the letter "A" (which could also be represented as
"ay").  So the two pronunciations Pinkfreud distinguishes - "eh-star"
and "A-star" - are the same to me.  If they are not to you (or to her)
then one or other of you and I have a misunderstanding.

Is it possible that the sources mention that the name is to be
pronounced "EH-star" (or "A-star") simply because some people might
otherwise believe that it was pronounced like "a star", in other words
as "uh-STAR"?

I trust this helps.

Carnegie

Well ---
My AI grad professor was a mix of Spanish and Indian or something
crazy like that and he pronounced it e-star ... (or eh) ...  I dunno
it was hard to understand cause he always had paper towels in his
mouth.

I my self say A-star.

If you don't pronounce it "eh"-star, then how do you? I pronounce it
as the letter 'A'.

Also, as a Canadian, why do people think we say "eh"? I never say it,
or hear anyone say it. I think it's hilarious that people think we say
it though.

In the question, I took "eh" to be the sound of a short E, as in the
word "pet". To me this sounds very different from a long A, as in
"pate."

I have some friends who are Canadian, and they do say "eh," pronounced "A."

Is this for Daugherity?? If you don't know what I'm talking about just ignore it ;)