Why often has two ways of pronunciation?

[Najlaa]

Dear teachers,

I am wondering ,when i search for the word ( often ) in dictionaries i find that it has two ways of Pronunciation: ˈȯ-fən, ÷ˈȯf-tən . Can you tell me why and which one is used more ,please ?

Thanks a lot.

[Torsten]

Hi Najlaa,

I think the reason for this is that English is spoken is so many different countries by so many different people. For example, Americans pronounce the word "advertisement" differently than British or Australian people.

TOEIC short conversations: Two friends meet after a long time and decide to have dinner with their respective spouses

[Najlaa]

Hi Mr.Torsten,

Thank you for your helpful reply . Can you tell me which one American and which is British or Australian , please ?

Thanks a lot ,

[Torsten]

Hi, this is the British/Australian version: əd'vɜːtɪsmənt
This is the American pronunciation: (ăd'vər-tī'zĭng)

TOEIC short conversations: A convention participant gets directions from the organizer

[Najlaa]

Thanks for your great efforts Mr.Torsten .

[Torsten]

You're welcome, Najlaa.

TOEIC short conversations: A business executive asks his PA to change his schedule

[MrPedantic]

The Oxford English Dictionary only gave "offen" as the pronunciation of "often" until quite recently (I think the 1970s): it was considered something of a faux pas to pronounce the "t". (Cf. "soften".)

But the pronunciation "of-ten" is now increasingly heard in the UK; presumably people are influenced by the spelling.

The pronunciation "orphan" can also be heard in British films from the 1930s and 1940s; though few people use it now.

Best wishes,

MrP

[Najlaa]

Hi MrPedantic,

As an ESL learner,which one can i use nowadays in communication with native speakers of English language ? /ˈȯ-fən / or /ˈȯf-tən /?

Thanks a lot.

[Yankee]

Hi Najlaa

I have heard the word 'often' pronounced both with and without the 'T' sound all my life. My experience is that pronouncing it without the 'T' sound is the more commonly used pronunciation.
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_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Jamie (K)]

[Jamie (K)]

[Yankee]

[Najlaa]

Hi Yankee, Jamie (k),

I also hear it without /T/ in TV ,movies , news etc but it confuses me when i search in dictionaries .

Thanks for your replies and amazing discussion.

Bwst regards,

[Jamie (K)]

[Yankee]

Hi Jamie

I'd describe my pronunciation of that word this way:

The main stress is on the third syllable. However the secondary stress on the first syllable sometimes (but not always) comes close to being about the same.
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln