But even in the sense Brian suggests, it can survive in speech much more acceptably than in print. Somehow seeing "alas" is more cringeworthy than hearing it used unaffectedly. Plus, I think when people use it, even as a connector, the are aware of sounding a little archaic and use the word to lighten the context. It is used self-consciously, but that is harder to convey in print.
David R.
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