Pronounciation question

[elgroucho]

Is the T in the word 'OFTEN' supposed to be silent?

[Glossopswift]

No, but it is offen said that way.

[smorodina]

It used to be silent. This from Dictionary.com:

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.

[smorodina]

When I was teaching English in Russia, many students could not understand the way I said 'often' (pronouncing the 't'), as it is still taught by many foreign teachers of the language (who may have learnt the language some years ago) with a silent 't'.

[jno]

Can be either. But soften is always soffen, as far as I know.

[acw]

Well it s'offen softer that way I guess jno.  Makes it nice and onomatopoeic!

[Trillipse]

it's often softened.