Do you pronounce the 't' in often?

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
Now another question...HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE SALMON?!!??

I always pronounce it w/ the L. SAL-Mon. But some people have mentioned that I should pronounce it w/o it. wtf?

Fish

KT

 

[RESmonkey]

Off-tin

 

[piasabird]

Offen is the occupation of the Italian Mafia.

Las' nite I was out Offen some one reniggin on their protection.

Get outa here!

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: sirjonk

Originally posted by: piasabird
It is pronounced Off-Ten With the stress on Off. He just needs to go back to grammer school.

Maybe Red-Necks pronounce it offen. I think maybe he listens to blue collar comedy to offen.

You've got it bass ackwards.
"People striving for sophistication often pronounce the T in this word, but true sophisticates know that the masses are correct in saying ?offen.?

Poll results and history:
http://www.confidentspeech.com/poll_results_often.htm

We recently asked our web site visitors to take a poll on the word often. Here is how you responded:

In the word often, do you pronounce the ?t??

25% Always pronounce the ?t?
50% Never pronounce the ?t?
25% Sometimes I pronounce the ?t?. Sometimes, I don?t.
Which is more correct? Is it better to pronounce often with or without the t-sound?

The word often is a fascinating example of language in the process of change. The Random House Dictionary states that the pronunciation of often without the t-sound gained favor with educated speakers in the 17th century. In recent years, however, more and more people have been pronouncing often with the t-sound, just as it is spelled.

Many of us can remember that in our younger days, the spelling pronunciation (often with the t-sound) was relatively uncommon. In those days, it was sometimes felt to be incorrect or a sign of pretentious, ?overly careful? speech. Nowadays, you hear many educated speakers using either pronunciation. Even some highly respected broadcast journalists use the pronunciation of often with the t-sound.

Our observation has been that the majority of people still pronounce often without the t-sound. Yet, as we listen to younger educated speakers, we hear a growing tendency to pronounce often with the t-sound.

So, what is one to do? Whichever pronunciation you use, you are correct! However, there are still some English speakers who criticize the pronunciation of often with a t-sound. If you absolutely want to ?play it safe? and please everyone, pronounce often without the t-sound.

Thanks to all our visitors for casting their votes!

Note:
There are a number of other words in which the t-sound stopped being pronounced centuries ago:

fasten

hasten

soften

There is no sign of change here. Never pronounce the t-sound in these words!

think he was referring to the spelling

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: sirjonk

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: FuzzyDunlop
Today I said the word often and a particularly annoying coworker told me that I was pronouncing it wrong. He says that it is pronounced offen not oft-en. I tried to explain that its pronounced both ways, but he claims that its only pronounced offen. Whats your opinion?

CLIFFS:
1) Say the word often outloud.
2) Do you pronounce the "t"?

Proper English you silence the "t." However it is acceptable today because so many douchebags pronounce it with the "t."

You just self-pwned yourself.

I would say you just did.

http://www.alphadictionary.com...spronounced_words.html

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/often.html

Hopefully the link soffens the blow.

http://www.answers.com/often

USAGE NOTE During the 15th century English experienced a widespread loss of certain consonant sounds within consonant clusters, as the (d) in handsome and handkerchief, the (p) in consumption and raspberry, and the (t) in chestnut and often. In this way the consonant clusters were simplified and made easier to articulate. With the rise of public education and literacy and, consequently, people's awareness of spelling in the 19th century, sounds that had become silent sometimes were restored, as is the case with the t in often, which is now frequently pronounced. In other similar words, such as soften and listen, the t generally remains silent.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/often
Pronunciation:
\'o?-f?n, ÷'o?f-t?n\

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/often
of·ten Audio Help /'?f?n, '?f?n; '?ft?n, '?f-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[aw-fuhn, of-uhn; awf-tuhn, of-]

It IS acceptable to pronounce the T.

 

[Born2bwire]

GEN. Tell me, have you ever known what it is to be an orphan?
PIRATES. (disgusted) Oh, dash it all!
KING. Here we are again!
GEN. I ask you, have you ever known what it is to be an orphan?
KING. Often!
GEN. Yes, orphan. Have you ever known what it is to be one?
KING. I say, often.
ALL. (disgusted) Often, often, often. (Turning away)
GEN. I don't think we quite understand one another. I ask you, have you ever known what it is to be an orphan, and you say "orphan". As I understand you, you are merely repeating the word "orphan" to show that you understand me.
KING. I didn't repeat the word often.
GEN. Pardon me, you did indeed.
KING. I only repeated it once.
GEN. True, but you repeated it.
KING. But not often.
GEN. Stop! I think I see where we are getting confused. When you said "orphan", did you mean "orphan," a person who has lost his parents, or "often", frequently?
KING. Ah! I beg pardon. I see what you mean frequently.
GEN. Ah! you said "often", frequently.
KING. No, only once.
GEN. (irritated) Exactly, you said "often", frequently, only once.

Originally posted by: sirjonk
Some people pronounce mischievous "miss-cheev-ee-us" as if there was an I before the OUS. Got into a scrap with a 6th grade substitute teacher about that 20 years ago. Dumb biotch.

That's an acceptable pronounciation though not the standard one.

 

[zebano]

"offen"

Now make me a sammich!

 

[jonks]

Originally posted by: Born2bwire

Originally posted by: sirjonk
Some people pronounce mischievous "miss-cheev-ee-us" as if there was an I before the OUS. Got into a scrap with a 6th grade substitute teacher about that 20 years ago. Dumb biotch.

That's an acceptable pronounciation though not the standard one.

It's unacceptable to me to create a syllable where none exists.

vious = veeous
vous = vus

Deviation from this = dumb

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: sirjonk

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: FuzzyDunlop
Today I said the word often and a particularly annoying coworker told me that I was pronouncing it wrong. He says that it is pronounced offen not oft-en. I tried to explain that its pronounced both ways, but he claims that its only pronounced offen. Whats your opinion?

CLIFFS:
1) Say the word often outloud.
2) Do you pronounce the "t"?

Proper English you silence the "t." However it is acceptable today because so many douchebags pronounce it with the "t."

You just self-pwned yourself.

I would say you just did.

http://www.alphadictionary.com...spronounced_words.html

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/often.html

Hopefully the link soffens the blow.

http://www.answers.com/often

USAGE NOTE During the 15th century English experienced a widespread loss of certain consonant sounds within consonant clusters, as the (d) in handsome and handkerchief, the (p) in consumption and raspberry, and the (t) in chestnut and often. In this way the consonant clusters were simplified and made easier to articulate. With the rise of public education and literacy and, consequently, people's awareness of spelling in the 19th century, sounds that had become silent sometimes were restored, as is the case with the t in often, which is now frequently pronounced. In other similar words, such as soften and listen, the t generally remains silent.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/often
Pronunciation:
\'o?-f?n, ÷'o?f-t?n\

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/often
of·ten Audio Help /'?f?n, '?f?n; '?ft?n, '?f-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[aw-fuhn, of-uhn; awf-tuhn, of-]

It IS acceptable to pronounce the T.

The fact that it's acceptable doesn't make it correct. It's also acceptable that chemical companies use flammable instead of inflammable. It doesn't make it correct.

 

[Savij]

Originally posted by: sirjonk

Originally posted by: Born2bwire

Originally posted by: sirjonk
Some people pronounce mischievous "miss-cheev-ee-us" as if there was an I before the OUS. Got into a scrap with a 6th grade substitute teacher about that 20 years ago. Dumb biotch.

That's an acceptable pronounciation though not the standard one.

It's unacceptable to me to create a syllable where none exists.

vious = veeous
vous = vus

Deviation from this = dumb

Not that I disagree with you, but the entire English language is a deviation.

 

[moshquerade]

poll.

yes, i pronounce the t.

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: sirjonk

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: FuzzyDunlop
Today I said the word often and a particularly annoying coworker told me that I was pronouncing it wrong. He says that it is pronounced offen not oft-en. I tried to explain that its pronounced both ways, but he claims that its only pronounced offen. Whats your opinion?

CLIFFS:
1) Say the word often outloud.
2) Do you pronounce the "t"?

Proper English you silence the "t." However it is acceptable today because so many douchebags pronounce it with the "t."

You just self-pwned yourself.

I would say you just did.

http://www.alphadictionary.com...spronounced_words.html

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/often.html

Hopefully the link soffens the blow.

http://www.answers.com/often

USAGE NOTE During the 15th century English experienced a widespread loss of certain consonant sounds within consonant clusters, as the (d) in handsome and handkerchief, the (p) in consumption and raspberry, and the (t) in chestnut and often. In this way the consonant clusters were simplified and made easier to articulate. With the rise of public education and literacy and, consequently, people's awareness of spelling in the 19th century, sounds that had become silent sometimes were restored, as is the case with the t in often, which is now frequently pronounced. In other similar words, such as soften and listen, the t generally remains silent.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/often
Pronunciation:
\'o?-f?n, ÷'o?f-t?n\

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/often
of·ten Audio Help /'?f?n, '?f?n; '?ft?n, '?f-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[aw-fuhn, of-uhn; awf-tuhn, of-]

It IS acceptable to pronounce the T.

The fact that it's acceptable doesn't make it correct. It's also acceptable that chemical companies use flammable instead of inflammable. It doesn't make it correct.

Agreed. Reminds me of irregardless. /shudder

KT

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: KeithTalent

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: sirjonk

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: JS80

Originally posted by: FuzzyDunlop
Today I said the word often and a particularly annoying coworker told me that I was pronouncing it wrong. He says that it is pronounced offen not oft-en. I tried to explain that its pronounced both ways, but he claims that its only pronounced offen. Whats your opinion?

CLIFFS:
1) Say the word often outloud.
2) Do you pronounce the "t"?

Proper English you silence the "t." However it is acceptable today because so many douchebags pronounce it with the "t."

You just self-pwned yourself.

I would say you just did.

http://www.alphadictionary.com...spronounced_words.html

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/often.html

Hopefully the link soffens the blow.

http://www.answers.com/often

USAGE NOTE During the 15th century English experienced a widespread loss of certain consonant sounds within consonant clusters, as the (d) in handsome and handkerchief, the (p) in consumption and raspberry, and the (t) in chestnut and often. In this way the consonant clusters were simplified and made easier to articulate. With the rise of public education and literacy and, consequently, people's awareness of spelling in the 19th century, sounds that had become silent sometimes were restored, as is the case with the t in often, which is now frequently pronounced. In other similar words, such as soften and listen, the t generally remains silent.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/often
Pronunciation:
\'o?-f?n, ÷'o?f-t?n\

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/often
of·ten Audio Help /'?f?n, '?f?n; '?ft?n, '?f-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[aw-fuhn, of-uhn; awf-tuhn, of-]

It IS acceptable to pronounce the T.

The fact that it's acceptable doesn't make it correct. It's also acceptable that chemical companies use flammable instead of inflammable. It doesn't make it correct.

Agreed. Reminds me of irregardless. /shudder

KT

Yes, it's a reoccurring theme.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: sirjonk
NO

Some people pronounce mischievous "miss-cheev-ee-us" as if there was an I before the OUS. Got into a scrap with a 6th grade substitute teacher about that 20 years ago. Dumb biotch.

Riddle: what word is always pronouned wrong even by expert linguists?

One of my professors always uses "irregardless," but I really love it when he talks about things "relativistically speaking." (It's a business course, not theoretical physics. )


A few of my professors have weird ways of saying words.
For one, "jaguar" is pronounced "jag-wire."
For another, "pontificate" is said as "po-fon-ti-cate."

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: JS80
The fact that it's acceptable doesn't make it correct. It's also acceptable that chemical companies use flammable instead of inflammable. It doesn't make it correct.

Yeah, it does. Neither pronunciation is incorrect. There can be (and often is) two correct pronunciations of a word. Pronouncing the T has become acceptable (and thus correct) in the same way that silencing the T became acceptable (and thus correct) - through common usage. If it is unacceptable to you that the language evolve through common usage (or douchebaggery, to quote you), then the only acceptable pronunciation can be the original (pronouncing the T).

 

[sutahz]

you should, but dialects and sluring take it out
"you shoo, buh di-lecs n slur'un take ih out"

 

[zinfamous]

I pronounce it both ways

depends on the weather.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Geeze,
The english language must be brutal to learn with all these nit picky little things that are this or that or both. Glad its my first language.

 

[PepePeru]

yes, i pronounce the 't'

 

[ravana]

no t.

This thread needs a pole.

 

[loup garou]

No t.

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
Now another question...HOW DO YOU PRONOUNCE SALMON?!!??

I always pronounce it w/ the L. SAL-Mon. But some people have mentioned that I should pronounce it w/o it. wtf?

Ok, you're just a tard.

 

[eits]

no.

offen.

just like soften.

 

[Vehemence]

I say the T

 

[Drako]

No T.

I can't remember the last time I heard someone pronounce it with the T.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: ravana
no t.

This thread needs a pole.

having a poll suggests it's opinion. grammar is right or wrong.