Have Bash to parse multiple space-contained words connected by \, the simplest way

[Budi]

How within a string, can we have Bash to parse multiple
space-contained words connected by escape char \, by the simplest way
(only 1-2 commands/lines) ?

s="English phrases must be understood are as\ well, even\ if, as\ such"
How to achieve kind of in few variables (or enclosed by quote pair
instead of double quote):

a="English"
b="phrases"
c="must"
d="be"
e="understood"
f="are"
g="as well,"
h="even if,"
i="as such"
or as array of s variable itself, etc