All Ears English Podcast AEE 2146: How Often Should You Worry About English Pronunciation?
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Feb 12, 2024 Dive into the heated debate over the pronunciation of 'often,' where regional differences spark lively conversation. Discover the historical roots of this word and the influence of dialects on how it's spoken. The hosts emphasize that clear communication is more important than perfect pronunciation. They encourage listeners to embrace their unique accents and share personal pronunciation stories. Get ready to rethink your approach to speaking English with confidence!
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Often Pronunciation
- Consider how the word "often" is pronounced, with or without the "t".
- Reflect on which pronunciation you use and which you hear more frequently.
Often: Standard and Variant
- The pronunciation of "often" with a silent T is standard in Webster's, with the T pronounced as a variant.
- However, some dictionaries accept both pronunciations.
Historical Pronunciation
- Words like "often", "soften", "hasten", and "fasten" originally all pronounced the medial T.
- Over time, English speakers dropped some sounds for easier articulation.