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

How Daniel Jones Shaped the Development and Significance of Received Pronunciation (RP) in the English Language

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Written by Anton

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Published: 13 March 2023

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The term "Received Pronunciation" (RP) was first conceived by linguist A J Ellis in 1869. It was later adopted by Daniel Jones to describe a variety of British English that was widely accepted as a standard accent for educated speakers in the UK. RP is sometimes referred to as "BBC English" or "Queen's English," although these terms are not strictly interchangeable with RP.

Daniel Jones was born in London, England, in 1881. His family was of Welsh origin, and his father was a successful merchant. Jones attended a private school in London before studying at University College London, where he earned a degree in modern languages.

Jones's interest in phonetics began during his university years when he studied the phonetic system of French. After completing his degree, he went on to study linguistics and phonetics in Germany and France. He eventually became a lecturer in phonetics at University College London and later held the position of Professor of Phonetics at the same institution.

Throughout his career, Jones conducted extensive research into the sounds of various languages and developed the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to represent the sounds of all languages. His work on English phonetics and phonology, including his book "An Outline of English Phonetics," was particularly influential and helped establish the study of phonetics as a distinct academic discipline.

Jones was also a proponent of the idea of a standard accent for English, which led to the development of Received Pronunciation (RP). He believed that RP was an ideal form of English that could be used as a model for language teaching and learning.

Daniel Jones believed that having a standard accent for English could promote clarity and facilitate communication between people from different regions and backgrounds. He thought that a standard accent would be particularly useful for teaching English as a second language and for facilitating international communication.

Jones was also motivated by a desire to promote social mobility and to reduce the influence of regional dialects and accents on people's opportunities in life. In his view, a standard accent could help people from diverse backgrounds to communicate on an equal footing and could facilitate social mobility by allowing people to present themselves as educated and sophisticated.

Additionally, Jones believed that a standard accent could help to preserve the purity of the English language and prevent it from being corrupted by the influence of regional dialects and foreign languages. He saw Received Pronunciation as a form of English that was free from the influence of any particular regional dialect and that represented the ideal form of the language.

Jones studied mathematics at Cambridge University before becoming interested in phonetics and pursuing a career in that field. His background in mathematics was also likely influential in his research into phonetics. As a mathematician, Jones would have been trained to think logically and to analyze complex patterns and systems. These skills would have been invaluable in his later work in phonetics, where he applied a similar analytical approach to the study of speech sounds and language patterns. Additionally, many of the principles underlying phonetics, such as the study of acoustic waveforms and the mathematical modelling of speech production and perception, are rooted in mathematics and the physical sciences. Jones' mathematical training may have given him a unique perspective on these topics and allowed him to make important contributions to the field of phonetics.

The Pronunciation of English can be downloaded from archives.org:
https://archive.org/download/pronunciationen00jonegoog/pronunciationen00jonegoog.pdf

Overcoming the Fear of Sounding "Posh" When Speaking English

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Written by Anton

Category: Learning Tips

Published: 19 February 2023

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When embarking on this course, some clients express concern about sounding "too posh". However, what exactly does it mean to speak "posh", and is it the same as speaking well? Let's explore.

Received Pronunciation (RP) is a standardized British accent that originated in the early 20th century and was popularized by the BBC. It's characterized by its lack of regional or cultural markers and its emphasis on clear articulation and enunciation. While RP is often associated with the British upper class, it's important to note that not all speakers of RP are posh, and not all posh people speak RP.

Famous actors like Daniel Craig and Ben Kingsley speak with clear accents that have become part of their identity in their acting careers. Even robotic AI assistants like Alexa and Siri have been given an RP accent to ensure clear communication. However, what students may be referring to is their fear of speaking in a manner that comes across as overly dramatic or condescending.

Certain speakers of RP may stress certain vowel sounds too much, resulting in this type of perception. For example, if the /ɑː/ sound is overemphasized, it can potentially come across as affected or snobbish. It's important to note that speaking clearly and articulating sounds properly is different from speaking in a way that's perceived as haughty or pretentious.

It's not the goal of this course to encourage individuals to speak in a way that's perceived as elevated or condescending. Rather, the course aims to provide individuals with the resources to articulate the sounds of English clearly and effectively. By focusing on clear pronunciation, grammar, and intonation, individuals can communicate effectively and confidently in a variety of contexts.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misunderstanding regarding Received Pronunciation due to the UK's complex history regarding accents and class. While there may be certain societal biases or assumptions associated with RP, it's important to remember that clear communication is a valuable skill in any context. Whether you're speaking in a professional setting, giving a presentation, or simply communicating with friends and family, clear articulation and effective communication are key.

In summary, don't let the fear of sounding "posh" hold you back from developing your English language skills. By focusing on clear pronunciation and effective communication, you can speak confidently and effectively in a variety of contexts.