--rosie....I used to say H-E-R-B all the time just like you do but I think there is two different ways I guess. Since you guys started the language you are correct 
tylor
The beauty and the problem with the English language is that there are a TON of "rules" for pronunciation and spelling that aren't actually rules. We beak them a lot.
It's mostly because English STEALS from every other language as often as possible. Which is what makes it so great and what also makes it so hard to learn.
I mean, come on. pronounce Decade. now pronounce facade. confused yet? fusion. cusion. riiiiiight.
BTW, I think the rule about words changing pronounciation depending on being CAPITAL letters is actually dependant on them being PROPER nouns. When it's a proper noun it changes pronunciation.
And "erb" is an accepted ENGLISH pronunciation of the word. Just like "ant" is a proper way to say "aunt" (even through I prefer aunt) and "skedule" is a fine way to say "shed-jule" or "leesure" vs "lessure". Both are right in both English and American dictionaries.
---Andrew
