Kza, that was a new question that was posted today.
I think that Andrew has fairly posh British pronunciation. Several others have it too, when they they try, but it usually slips a fair amount in the pub.
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How to pronounce the word "often"
QUOTE (mr munich @ Feb 25 2003, 5:07 pm) 
Because I have become the resident consultant on the Queens English at work I never bother to make corrections outside of the office, but there is one oft misused phrase that really gets my goat.
Funny you should mention (in February) the Queen's English. She would say 'orphan', as is "Mei husbond and I come hier orphan".
But then, poor old Elisabeth thinks that 'sex' is what potatos come in.
QUOTE (Showem @ Dec 12 2005, 1:27 pm)
Ulysses, dude, that post is two and a half years old. Not that the basic contents have altered, I still stand by it. But man, talk about a dead horse...
Are you trying to say the English language is a dead horse? I wasn't here at the time of the original conversation and admittedly, not intentional, at least I didn't start a new thread when an old one already existed.
QUOTE (Kza @ Dec 12 2005, 1:31 pm)
@showem, It wasnt Ulysses that restarted the thread, it was someone else, and it wasnt even him that started talking about the t in often again.
I want to know why noone talks posh english (RP) anymore? Are there any TTers who speak posh english as their standard dialect or do they all supress it for various reasons?
I want to know why noone talks posh english (RP) anymore? Are there any TTers who speak posh english as their standard dialect or do they all supress it for various reasons?
I don't know of any TT'ers who speak RP, but I have a couple of friends here who do. I suppose Owain comes closest of the TT'ers I know.
QUOTE (Timmeh @ Dec 12 2005, 11:06 am)
I can't say I've ever heard anyone say offen. Tis news to me that people are lazy enough to drop the t.
cheers tim! never do i pronounce the 't' in often - it just aint natural!! i cant even remember anyone pronouncing it to me. would doubt anyone in Scotland pronouncing it. but then again most people i know would just use 'shitloads' instead of 'ofin' anyhoo!
Ok, this is an old thread, but looks like it's been resuscitated, so I'll add my 2 cents ...
According to Merrian-Webster, who by the way is wicked hot, here's the lowdown on 'often' :
often
One entry found for often.
Main Entry: of·ten
Pronunciation: 'o-f&n, ÷'of-t&n
Function: adverb
Etymology: Middle English, alteration of oft
: many times : FREQUENTLY
Seems that both pronunciations are acceptable, both with and without sounding the "t". You might also notice that the first pronunciation listed is without the "t". Draw your own conclusions, if any. Without the "t" sounds more natural to my American-ear, but I've heard it both ways, and neither particularly bother me, though I do agree it sounds a wee-bit posh. Maybe pronouncing the "t" is more common among the British-english speakers??
According to Merrian-Webster, who by the way is wicked hot, here's the lowdown on 'often' :
often
One entry found for often.
Main Entry: of·ten
Pronunciation: 'o-f&n, ÷'of-t&n
Function: adverb
Etymology: Middle English, alteration of oft
: many times : FREQUENTLY
Seems that both pronunciations are acceptable, both with and without sounding the "t". You might also notice that the first pronunciation listed is without the "t". Draw your own conclusions, if any. Without the "t" sounds more natural to my American-ear, but I've heard it both ways, and neither particularly bother me, though I do agree it sounds a wee-bit posh. Maybe pronouncing the "t" is more common among the British-english speakers??
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