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What is Received Pronunciation?

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Published: 04 November 2019

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According to the Cambridge Dictionary, Received Pronunciation is defined as

"the standard way in which middle-class speakers of southern British English pronounce words".

Received Pronunciation (RP) is an accent of Standard British English that was originally associated with the educated social group in southern England. It is also known as the "Queen's English", "Oxford English", or "BBC English". RP is considered a prestige accent and is widely recognized as a standard of English pronunciation in the UK and other countries.

RP is a historically determined accent that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and it was based on the speech of public school-educated individuals and the British upper-middle and upper classes. RP is characterized by its clear, precise pronunciation, and its relatively standardized grammar and vocabulary. Despite being associated with a specific social group, RP has become a widely recognized accent that is considered the benchmark for standard English pronunciation in the UK and elsewhere.

Many aspiring British actors learn RP at acting school, and many famous and notable people speak it within the UK. Look at these Pinterest links to get an idea of British people who speak RP in some form or another. 

Some would also distinguish between the traditional, upper, neutral, and modern forms of RP. We could say that the RP accent has evolved over the years. For example, perhaps the younger members of the royal family, such as Prince William, could be considered to speak with a more modern RP accent. 

There is no "correct way" to speak English, however, Received Pronunciation would be suitable for non-native English speakers who want to speak with an accent that is clear and can be easily understood by others. Those who need to communicate clearly and effectively, such as diplomats, business people, interpreters, and scientists, would benefit from learning RP. 

Key characteristics of RP

Received Pronunciation has a certain set of features that distinguish it from other accents of English. Some of these features include:

• Vowel Sounds: RP has a distinctive set of vowel sounds, including a longer and more open pronunciation of the /ɑː/ sound in words such as "bath" or "dance".

• Consonant Sounds: RP is known for its clear and precise pronunciation of consonants, particularly the /t/ and /l/ sounds.

• Intonation: RP is characterized by its distinct rhythm and melody, with a relatively flat intonation and a consistent stress pattern.

• Grammar and Vocabulary: RP follows standard grammatical rules and uses a relatively standardized vocabulary.

Examples of famous people who are known for speaking Received Pronunciation:

• The Royal Family: Many members of the British Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth II, have traditionally been associated with RP.

• Actors: Many British actors, particularly those trained in classical theatre, are known for speaking RP. Examples include Benedict Cumberbatch, Maggie Smith, and Helen Mirren.

• Broadcasters: RP has been the accent of choice for many British broadcasters and news presenters such as David Attenborough.

• Politicians: Some British politicians, including former Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major, have been associated with RP.

These are just a few examples, and it's worth noting that while these individuals may have used RP in the past or in specific contexts, they may also use other accents or variations in their daily speech. Additionally, many people who are known for using RP have not necessarily had it as their first accent, but have learned it later in life.

 

Examples of Received Pronunciation can be found by visiting the link below: 

Speakers of RP: British Hollywood Actors

 

 

 

 

VIDEO LINKS RELATED TO PRONUNCIATION

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The speech mechanisms

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Written by Anton

Category: Learning Tips

Published: 03 February 2023

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As humans, we use several mechanisms when speaking, including:

 

1. Breathing: Controlled inhalation and exhalation of air from the lungs provides the necessary air pressure for speech production.

2. Phonation: Vibration of the vocal cords creates sound, which is modified by the resonating cavities of the mouth, nose, and sinuses.

3. Articulation: Movement of the tongue, lips, jaw, and other speech organs shapes the sound into recognizable speech sounds (phonemes).

4. Prosody: Variations in pitch, rhythm, and stress in speech can convey meaning and add emotional expression to speech.

 

These mechanisms work together to produce speech, which is a complex and sophisticated form of communication in humans.

 

The Mechanisms

 

The oral cavity provides a resonating space for speech sounds to be formed and modified. The shape and size of the oral cavity, along with the position of the tongue, lips, and other speech articulators, determine the sound of speech. The oral cavity helps to produce and modify speech sounds, such as vowels and consonants, by shaping the flow of air and creating a unique resonance for each speech sound. Additionally, the oral cavity helps to amplify speech sounds, making them more audible to listeners. The oral cavity is therefore a key component in speech production and is essential for producing clear, intelligible speech.

 

The nasal cavity allows for the production of nasal sounds. During speech production, air can escape through the nose if the velum, or soft palate, is lowered. This creates a nasalized sound that is characteristic of certain speech sounds, such as /m/ and /n/. The size and shape of the nasal cavity also play a role in the production of these speech sounds, as they can affect the resonance of the sound produced. Additionally, the nasal cavity can also act as an amplifier for speech sounds, particularly low-frequency sounds, which can help to reinforce speech and make it more audible to listeners. Overall, the nasal cavity plays a significant role in speech production and speech sound quality.

 

The hard palate, also known as the roof of the mouth, helps articulate speech sounds. The hard palate provides a surface for the tongue to interact with during speech, and its shape and position help to determine the sound of certain speech sounds. For example, the hard palate plays a role in producing sounds like /t/, /d/, /n/, and /l/. The hard palate also helps to separate the oral and nasal cavities, making it possible to produce speech sounds that are not nasalized. Overall, the hard palate plays an important role in shaping the speech sounds produced by the mouth and helps to produce clear and distinct speech sounds.

 

The velum (soft palate), also known as the soft palate, controls the airflow in the mouth and the nasal cavities. During speech production, the velum raises to separate the oral and nasal cavities, allowing air to escape through the mouth and produce speech sounds. When the velum lowers, air can escape through the nose, creating nasal sounds. The position of the velum is therefore important for producing speech sounds correctly and plays a key role in speech production.

 

The uvula is a small, muscular flap of tissue located at the back of the mouth, near the velum. While the uvula does not play a direct role in most speech sounds, it does play a role in certain speech behaviours and speech disorders. For example, the uvula can play a role in the production of certain speech sounds in certain languages, such as Arabic or Hebrew.

 

The pharynx, also known as the throat, plays an important role in speech production. The pharynx is the part of the throat that lies behind the mouth and nose and serves as a passageway for food, liquid, and air. During speech production, the pharynx helps to shape and modify speech sounds by acting as a resonating chamber. The size and shape of the pharynx can affect the resonance of speech sounds, particularly vowel sounds. The pharynx is also involved in the production of certain speech sounds, such as the glottal stop, which is produced by briefly closing the space at the back of the pharynx. Additionally, the pharynx plays a role in swallowing and breathing, making it important for speech and overall health. Overall, the pharynx plays an important role in speech production and speech sound quality.

 

The glottis is the space between the vocal cords in the larynx (voice box). The glottis controls the flow of air from the lungs to the pharynx and oral cavity. During speech production, the glottis can either be open or closed, allowing or blocking the flow of air, respectively. When the glottis is open, air from the lungs flows freely and produces voiced speech sounds, such as vowels. When the glottis is closed, the flow of air is blocked, creating unvoiced speech sounds, such as /s/ or /f/. The glottis also plays a role in producing the sounds of the glottal stop, which is produced by briefly closing the space at the back of the pharynx. The glottis is therefore a key component of speech production and plays an important role in shaping speech sounds and producing clear, intelligible speech.

 

The larynx, also known as the voice box, plays a crucial role in speech production. The larynx contains the vocal cords, which are two folds of mucous membrane that vibrate when air from the lungs is expelled through them. This vibration produces sound, which is shaped and modified by the surrounding structures to produce speech sounds. The larynx also has a cartilaginous structure known as the thyroid cartilage that acts as a "soundboard" for speech sounds, helping to reinforce and shape the speech sounds produced by the vocal cords. The larynx also plays a role in breathing, as it can either open to allow air to flow freely into the lungs or close to protect the airway during swallowing. Additionally, the position of the larynx can affect the resonance of speech sounds, particularly vowels. Overall, the larynx plays a crucial role in speech production, serving as the source of sound for speech and helping to shape and modify speech sounds.