Pronunciation - Silent T: often, listen, castle...

www.engvid.com/ How do you pronounce "often"? Is the /t/ silent or pronounced? What about words like "soften", "moisten", "mostly", "lastly", and other words with /t/ in them? In this video, I will teach you how to pronounce these words and more. If you say the word "often" often, this video is for you! Take a quiz on this lesson here: www.engvid.com/silent-t/
TRANSCRIPT
Hi there. My name is Emma, and in today's video, we are going to learn about pronunciation. I'm going to teach you how to pronounce "often". Is it with a T or with a silent T? What about words like "listen"? Is it "listen" or "lissen"? "Soften": "soften", "soffen"? Okay? So this video is about Ts in the middle of words. Do we pronounce them, or do we keep them silent? Okay, so let's get started on how to pronounce these words.
So I have a rule here. It's not always the rule, but for the most part this will help you. If you see "-sten", "-ften", "-stle", usually -- okay, and that's a big word. Usually -- not always -- usually, we do not pronounce the T. So what are some examples of this? This, how do we say it? "Lissen", "lissen", so you cannot hear a T. I do not say it "listen", I say it with an S but no T, "lissen". "Soffen", "soffen", okay? And again, you see "-ften", "-sten". "Cassle", "cassle". "Fassen", "fassen". Okay? Last one: "moissen", "moissen". So even though you see "-ten", "-tle", "-ten", you do not pronounce the T in these words.
But what about "often"? Did you hear how I said that? Did I say it with a T or without a T? "Often". Okay, so "often" is when it gets a little complicated because of the history of this word. Originally, in the 1700s, "often" was pronounced with a T, and then they stopped pronouncing it with a T. They pronounced it "offen". And then, people started to pronounce it with T again. So nowadays, how do we pronounce it? Both ways. Some people say, "often" -- that's good. Other people say "offen" with a silent T. Both ways are acceptable, okay? Both ways are now the standard. You can say either way. So if you look here, if you know the International Phonetic Alphabet, I have the different spellings that the dictionary says are okay for the pronunciation of this word, okay? And if you don't know the International Phonetic Alphabet, that's okay. Pretty much what this means is you can have it without it T, "offen" or with the T, "often". So even though we have a rule up here, "-ften", usually, it's a silent T, but in the case of "often", it's your choice. If you like the way the T sounds, great. If you hate the way the T sounds, "offen" is also good, okay?
Now, let's look at some words where we actually have to pronounce the T. So if you see "-stl", "-ftl", these are signs that you usually pronounce the T. What are some examples? Well, you can pronounce the T. "Lassly", you could also say, "lastly". It's okay either way. "Justly", "mostly", "softly": You can say it with or without depending on where you're from. So the main thing I want to say in this video is "offen", "often" are both okay. Our pronunciation is different depending on where we're from. So you might hear someone pronounce a word one way, but it could be their accent. It could be where they're from.
And also, a final point -- language is always changing. "Often" -- before there was a rule, no T. Now, it has changed to where you can have a T, or you can do it without a T. So language doesn't stay the same; it changes. Until next time -- oh, I forgot one thing. I want today invite you to come visit our website at www.engvid.com, and there you can take our test on pronunciation with words with silent T. So until next time, take care.

[@monismirza7860]

Hey Emma,
This video is amazing, the way you teach and the knowledge you have passed on is appreciable. Thanks!

[@dianeatkins4425]

Thanks Emma. Just watched it using my latest English learning app, which helped me to follow your pronunciations too. The way you explained is sure to stay in my mind for a long while. However, I bookmarked certain parts of the video using my app so that I could revise them and never forget.

[@jaironunez7196]

I LOOVE YOUR VIDEOS!!! All my gratitude as an English teacher from Costa Rica!! Muchas gracias!! :)

[@Guthoooooooooo]

It's amazing how you can speak right to us Emma, you use simple and easy words during the class and for us it is so simple to understand, of course I'll keep learning and have fun with you!! thank you for you spend this time with this excellent work!

[@sanuthami8449]

Thank you teacher Emma for valuable lesson.

[@tyranomu]

Hugs for you from Brazil!!! Thaks for helping us with these lessons!

[@mohentert1184]

Hi🥰💎

[@MathematistTerrific]

You are so amazing teacher! Very easily to remember all. Thank you very much.

[@GermantownFamily]

Where have you been all my life!!! Thank you!

[@martincuevas1167]

Thanks Emma, I just shared your video with my students; it was very helpful, we love you! ;-)

[@synergyzer07]

I've learnt to pronounce 'often' without the 't' in school decades (about two) ago and recently I started to hear people pronouncing the 't'. I was getting confused, like "I know I've learned differently!". Now I get it! Thanks so much!

[@cleofergutama3689]

There are many reasons to thank you Mrs. Emma, definitely you are the best teacher.
However there are some many parts tha I do not understant, but it si not your fault, I need work hard to learn.
I remember when I came to this country, I could not speak any word in English. Since I started watch your videos I am learning and improving more and more.

[@orbittiger5607]

Thank you very much
You answer all questions I had about “often”
Your the best
May God bless you

[@ericleger8158]

You're

[@jaimecarranza2509]

This was a really helpful lesson! Thank you!!!

[@agcuol]

Thank you Emma. I love your videos.

[@marcelepo]

Thanks a lot dear teacher Emma! (why not to call you so?) You are as explicit and sweet teaching as we need, and you do it for free, what is greatly valuable! You always put love in what you do. Your detailed and clear explanation was very useful for me. I feel very grateful, God bless you.

[@thirupathimudasi3550]

Thank you so much.your teaching is wonderful.your videos helped me alot!

[@1CreativeLatino]

Another wonderful and informative video from a wonderful teacher. Please do more videos they are wonderful....

[@sinceredelacruz4273]

thank you so so much teacher Emma.. you are the greatest! GOD BLESS..

[@gerardoalmeida7177]

I love your videos. Thank you very much.

[@ahmedam77]

Extremely helpful.
Thanks for your help.

[@iortiz-sw3kb]

Thank you very much!! I'm an ESL student and this video was very very helpful!!

[@thomask.v3859]

Today I cleared my doubt about the pronunciation of ' often' .Thank you Emma.

[@tavitorock2431]

u are now my new teacher thank you , this videos make my life easier

[@ali2060]

Thanks very much. Great lesson from Great teacher.

[@fabregas9876]

Thank You Emma...you make my day.

[@ArturoCotaRomero]

I've never seen a better teacher! u'r the best!

[@sebastiaomauricio5779]

Emma you are a the best teacher. Thanks!

[@johnsummers9790]

Very well presented. I had a little smile to myself when you pronounced 'castle'. I am from the South of England and we pronounce it 'Carstle'.😄

[@yonisargueta1017]

Cool... Amazing it's so useful on my improving pronunciation thanks a lot! I'm very thankful with you keep doing it in that way! Blessings

[@munarong]

Thank you. The video helps me improve my English a lot.

[@naylanariel287]

You are the best teacher ever, I love your lesson emma...Hi from dominican rep.

[@rajeshkumarpatra4341]

the teaching is reallygood. can I do a short term course in your institute

[@estebansebastiao7114]

Thanks, you are a great teacher!!

[@dennislevin9973]

Excellent! Thank You!

[@oualid4441]

Thank you for this fabulous lesson seriously I pronounced the T before.

[@jtm050]

Thanks Teacher Emma! I like it!

[@terran008]

Thanks! great video and so useful!

[@arnaldofernandes1319]

nice !!!!good explanation thank you Emma.

[@ArunSingh-nx8km]

Awesome knowledge you have given to me thanks for help

[@eduardolucas391]

Brilliant explanation!

[@ashaklama3002]

Hi Emma thank a lot of explain about silent I think so it is very important for me I am understood more silent now it is always very useful

[@magitel33]

merci Emma ! for this lesson

[@andreibacescu7932]

Thank you very much for this video.

[@mohebbollah4206]

you are a good teacher !!

[@Lovelygirl7515]

I enjoy watching your videos! It really helps! By the way, I like your "okey" ;)

[@dajivi]

Thanks, We love you Emma!

[@haleylee6163]

Thanks. It was very helpful class!

[@JeffersonSoaresSP]

Thanks a lot!
Regards from Brazil!

[@davidm.4460]

thanks to best teacher Emma!

[@wowwu6185]

teacher.thank you very very very very very much!!!!!!!! I really like your teach.I am glad I find your video.

[@26Sucesso]

Great lesson!!!

[@fdlucianoes91]

thank you!! It was very helpful

[@sori677]

Thanks a lot Emma.

[@nicolasx824]

This good one! Thanks emma!!

[@kundanthakur1019]

I clearly understand your every lessons.

[@franckrosald]

i just love it
she teaches awesome very clear !

[@ericleger8158]

She teaches awesomely

[@fabriciosouza408]

The best!! Great class ;-)

[@phuonglan1501]

I really like your voice, Emma. It's so sweet ♥

[@CoquiAudio]

this really help me, thank you :D

[@nadia2646]

This is what I want, thank you emma:)

[@nouraalsunaidi3584]

Thanks that's really help when we read words that we do know it

[@budimanjayaaphin7327]

your lessons are really helpful. from me Budiman Jaya Aphin in Ketapang West Kalimantan Indonesia

[@gabrielpellegrinimaciel1976]

Thank you so much, your lesson has made me got it, Regards From Brazil !
One more subscribed on channel.

[@jorgeluis382009]

Miss Emma, Thank you for your teachings.

[@thomask.v3859]

If Emma is married?

[@thomask.v3859]

If Emma is married?

[@LiquidDreamy]

Thank you so much!

[@arthurmcb]

great! thanks for sharing :)

[@lgaroldan68]

muchas gracias, de verdad muy agradecido

[@anastasiakatsouda7946]

A very sweet teacher with a very useful post once more.

[@antonantochi8498]

"sweet teacher" - oh, it so vulgar

[@anastasiakatsouda7946]

Anton Antochi
Vulgar?probably you refer to 'sweet teacher.'Vulgar has both positive(eg:common,popular) and negative meaning(eg:crude,coarse.)I'm afraid I can't understand your comment.Can you please make it clear to me?.Thanks.

[@anastasiakatsouda7946]

Sweet(adj.)figurative:pleasing to the ear,
and also lovable.

[@malikshahbehram3974]

Anastasia Katsouda

[@anjusomu5778]

Thank you.. Emma..

[@tranly9362]

Thank you my teacher !

[@mohamedabbas4740]

I'm immensely grateful to you. That's a sensational episode.May I ask you about these words ( symptom&attempt. Prompt ) are they contain P silent ? Thanks in advance

[@salawisaka]

Y0u are great...Thank you for your help.....

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Brilliant 👍

[@angelesc8610]

thanks Emma!

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Ohh very good, good tricks! This is from Brazil!🇧🇷

[@tseringladol9793]

Ur the best teacher and I like the ur teaching method

[@frixsat]

Thank you so mach emma

[@abdulmohsen4271]

Thanks teacher !

[@robsonalexandre602]

Emma minha inspiração.

[@MultiLXO]

I like EngVid!

[@din2750]

Muchas gracias ya aprendí algo hoy

[@mauvar]

Thank you very much.

[@dilkhan7320]

I really wonderful Emma teacher so silent my life but you great teaching also to love you

[@jesser.2885]

Very useful ^^

[@dubaddubad7520]

I like this teacher she is awesome woman I always watch her videos

[@EC-mw7ty]

The pronounced "T" in the US seems to have become more popular in the last 20 years. Not sure why, but I find that people tend to do it more when they are reading the word aloud. When using it in general speech they tend to make the "T" silent - as though when they're trying to sound more "formal' or "proper" they feel the need to enunciate the "t". I'm fine with people pronouncing the T...as long as they also pronounce it in soften, glisten and listen.

[@crazyx911]

Very informative :)

[@rahuldeniz1972]

thanks for this awesome tutprials big hug to u emma ,,,,,,

[@safwatalchibli3901]

Great Emma

[@peppepinz2886]

thank you for this video.

[@TheJorniac]

Emman, I'd like your help lesson. Thanks.

[@chukwukaigboaka4619]

Good tutorial. One needs to hit a notification bell that will notify him when these pronunciations are changed.

[@amr1111able]

.Emma ,thank you very much

[@josepvaz8827]

I'd like more often lessons, teacher. Thanks a lot.

[@lakshmanankomathmanalath]

great great. thank you.

[@towasimahmad257]

Mam you explain very clearly and you sound also good .I like your videos .thank you mam

[@abdulrahmanmuslih141]

thank you so much

[@princeicio]

Love your shirt!!

[@juancarloscapeans1572]

thanks Emma

[@ngochuongdang8660]

Thanks!