Variations of RP from Traditional to Modern

“Received Pronunciation” (RP) is the term used to describe the standard British English accent. However, definitions vary wildly. Sources such as books, blogs, and accent coaches all interpret RP differently.

To understand the accent today, we need to distinguish between Traditional RP, Modern RP, and Standard British English (SBE).

The Historical Context

Historically, RP was associated with social class, private education, and upbringing. This has led to negative connotations. The historical forms—often called Upper RP or Conservative RP—can be perceived as divisive or “snooty”.

However, we must look at the original intention. The goal of RP was not to create division, but to create a formalized standard for mutual understanding. It was an attempt to remove regional interference so that English could be understood clearly by everyone.

Pronunciation vs. Tone

The bad reputation of RP comes from a confusion between Pronunciation (the mechanics) and Tone (the attitude).

An accent can sound welcoming or arrogant depending entirely on the tone.

  • The Villain Trope: In American films, villains are often portrayed with Traditional RP accents to convey cold superiority.

  • The Hero Trope: Conversely, characters like James Bond (sophistication) or Obi-Wan Kenobi (intelligence) also use RP.

The difference is not the sounds they are making; it is the inflection. Many RP speakers today have adopted a “Mockney” (fake Cockney) accent because they are afraid of sounding “posh”. They sacrifice clear articulation to sound more relatable. My argument is that you can have the clear articulation of RP without projecting an arrogant tone.

Modern RP vs. Standard British English (SBE)

Today, the terms “Modern RP” and “Standard British English” (SBE) are often used interchangeably. Personally, I view them as mechanically different.

1. Modern RP (The Goal)

Modern RP is the clear articulation of British English sounds. It involves:

  • Distinct aspiration of vowels and clear articulation of the consonants.
  • A free flow of air from the lungs to the front of the mouth.
  • A relaxed vocal tract without excessive raising of the velar area.

2. Standard British English (The Reality)

SBE is what you hear from most educated people in the South of England today. While they use the same phonetic symbols as RP, the mechanical quality is different:

  • The Dark /l/: Often swallowed or unclear.

  • The /w/: Often has weak lip-rounding.

  • The /r/: Often lacks precise tongue positioning.

  • Resonance: The airflow can be slightly guttural or lazy compared to the forward resonance of RP.

While they share the same phonetic chart, SBE is a looser, more relaxed version of the accent. Modern RP retains the full definition of the sounds, whereas SBE often softens them for ease of speaking.