Having Bash to parse multiple space-contained words connected by char \,

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

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