“You may be older then I am, but I don’t think you’re ancient enough to have personal knowledge. “
True, though there are some days I feel pretty ancient. The fact is that the culture that existed LONG, LONG before the Ashkenazic one, was Sefardic (and I am Ashkenaz through and through), and spoke Hebrew for Millenia before the Jews of Europe came into existence. To move away from the hot-button of Judaism for the moment, British English is more authentic than Americanized English (“Olde English” being the model for present day British). Would you argue that American is the only way English should be spoken? After all – it IS the way we speak it in this country (With several dialects, some of which are similar to the English accent)! Would it surprise you to know that the first settlers here who spoke English, spoke it with English accents, which slowly over time evolved into our present-day pronunciations?
It is beyond silly to argue about something like this, as if it is a terrible thing that either side speaks with either havara. Both pronunciations are accepted in Judaism, but it is very clear which side existed first, and the later on European havara evolved from the first, and probably due to its new locale,regional dialects, etc. took on a different pronunciation of the language. Don’t be so defensive about it. I am not chalilah putting Ashkenazis down, I daven in that havara, but speak Hebrew in sefardit. This is not a case of which came first, the chicken or the egg.
Some people apparently feel threatened by this idea – I cannot imagine why. It is not an undermining of Yiddishkeit in any way, to recognize that certain Yeshivisms, for want of a better word, may not have their roots in pre-Churban Yahadut. As long as something is not contrary to Halacha in any way, there is no stirah. Or is anyone worried that the alternate pronunciation may actually be found to be a halachic problem???? If so, I am sure the rabbonim have long since discussed that concern, and judged it to be inconsequential, much as the Steipler did. I think you can relax.