Unexplained Silent "S" in "Mas"

Question

Is there a rule for using a silent "s" in “mas” or in any other words?

Without explanation the Pimsleur Latin American Spanish 1 speakers say “mA despacio” instead of "maS despacio".

They haven’t dropped the “s” in “maS” when it was used with any other words.

welcome to the forum, :) - 006595c6, Sep 8, 2017

Thanks, nice to be here! - Kevin8879, Sep 9, 2017

Answer 1

It takes an extra tongue movement to pronounce the S if it is going to be followed by a D, so if you are speaking quickly the S will just get "swallowed". It's not actually dropped, it's just not fully formed.

Yay! - Daniela2041, Sep 8, 2017

Ah, con razón, muchas gracias! - Kevin8879, Sep 9, 2017

Answer 2

It depends on the region. In Andalucía, the south of Spain they drop many Ss. In Latin America in the Caribbean or other countries they do it too. In some countries what happens is that they pronounce the S between consonants as the H in the English word "hot". Do as your teacher tells you. Or else be consistentIf you drop one, drop all. In reality, it's better not to drop the S but we can't change reality.

Imagine the R in English. Many dialects drop it or almost drop it. Be it in New York or in UK. Well, the same happens with the S in Spanish.

¡Muy bien dicho, Polenta,!: :) - FELIZ77, Sep 9, 2017

I'm not sure when the R is dropped - many other letters are though. :) - ian-hill, Sep 9, 2017

fixed typo - 006595c6, Sep 9, 2017

In Received Pronunciation, when there's a schwa /ə/ the 'r' is dropped. - NKM1974, Sep 9, 2017

"I pa'kt" the ca' in Boston." - DonBigoteDeLaLancha, Sep 9, 2017

ian hill Stzandard Americans say teacher and the final R is pronounced. British receibed pronunciation says something like TeachA and don't pronounce the final R. - polenta1, Sep 9, 2017

The teacha's ca is paked Many Rs dropped all over. Nothing wrong with it. - polenta1, Sep 9, 2017

Thanks much for the big picture which puts this one instance in perspective - Kevin8879, Sep 9, 2017

Aaaaahhhhhh - Polenta, Sep 9, 2017

Answer 3

Many times "s" in front of a "d" and always before an "r" the "s" in más is dropped. this is quite common. It's hard to say máS despacio, but not impossible.

Thanks, your examples were helpful - Kevin8879, Sep 9, 2017

Answer 4

Ma o meno - for example.

Even in place names such as Santa Cruz. They say Santa Cru.

And for vos they say vo.

Absolutely!!

Just like here in the south of Spain, sometimes you have to think twice to make sense of what they are saying

Yes, yes , yes. This happens to me. Son muy simpáticos pero difíciles de entender. - polenta1, Sep 9, 2017

Soy norteamericano. When I breifly lived in England I needed subtitles to understand the English spoken on a show set in the north of England. - Kevin8879, Sep 9, 2017

:) - ian-hill, Sep 9, 2017

Answer 5

In some parts of Bolivia they always drop the S.

Ma o meno - for example.

Even in place names such as Santa Cruz. They say Santa Cru.

And for vos they say vo.

I appreciate your response. - Kevin8879, Sep 9, 2017