Quote:
Originally Posted by LwyrFirat  In spoken English is the letter "t" in the word "often" silent, or should we pronounce it?
Thanks in advance. |
This is what I found in the online Yahoo Dictionary:
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.
often - Dictionary definition and pronunciation - Yahoo! Education
While living in the US, in conversations, I hear this word pronounced either way.
Often 
Linear Mode
