🎩The pronunciation of the word 'often' has two variations, with and without the 't'.
🔍The difference in pronunciation can indicate social standing.
📚The pronunciation without the 't' is associated with upper-class English.
📕The pronunciation with the 't' is influenced by the spelling in the English dictionary.
😁The pronunciation without the 't' is considered more prestigious.
Why are there different pronunciations of 'often'?
—The pronunciation has evolved over time, and different factors, such as social influence and spelling, have contributed to the variation.
Is one pronunciation of 'often' more correct than the other?
—Both pronunciations are considered acceptable, but the version without the 't' is associated with higher social standing.
Why is the pronunciation without the 't' considered more prestigious?
—The pronunciation without the 't' is associated with upper-class English and is considered more refined.
Is it important to pronounce 'often' a certain way?
—While both pronunciations are acceptable, being aware of the social connotations can help in certain contexts.
Are there other words with similar pronunciation variations?
—Yes, there are several words, such as 'soften', 'fasten', and 'hustle', that also have different pronunciations based on the inclusion or omission of the 't'.
00:01Introduction to the topic: determining social standing based on pronunciation.
01:18The word 'oft' as an older version of 'often'.
02:16The influence of Samuel Johnson and the inclusion of 't' in the spelling of 'often'.
03:00Queen Elizabeth I's pronunciation without the 't'.
04:48The influence of Samuel Johnson and the inclusion of 't' in the spelling of 'often'.
05:56Queen Elizabeth II's pronunciation without the 't'.
06:37The varying pronunciations of 'oft-en' and 'soft-en'.
07:14Words that should not be pronounced with a 't'.
