How prevalent is the silent "t"

[sagehen]

>I just want to add the word "often" to the question. My elementary-school
>teachers always insisted the "t" in "often" was silent, but many people
>pronounce it. I don't know that it's a regional difference, since my son
>pronounces the "t" while my wife and I don't, and I never noticed a
>prevalence for one or the other, at least around Boston.
>
>Marc Sacks
~~~~~~~~~~
Not to mention _soften, hasten, listen, fasten,chasten,moisten_, just to
those that pop into my mind with a minute's reflection.
AM

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