Variations of RP from Traditional to Modern
The term “Received Pronunciation” to describe the standard British English accent spoken today. This is despite the fact that it is only spoken by a minority of the British population. RP has evolved since its inception and there are variations. Sources such as books, websites, blogs, YouTubers, and accent coaches may interpret Received Pronunciation (RP) differently, with some interpretations appearing more accurate than others depending on the perspective. I’ll express my thoughts as opinion rather than fact.
Modern RP & Variations
“Modern RP” is a term often used by accent coaches, and is often considered a clear and easy to understand British accent for modern times. People often associate RP with “BBC English” or the Queen’s English. “Modern RP” is often used interchangeably with “Standard British English” (SBE) and “Southern British English.” Many who teach RP equate it with SBE, and vice versa. Personally, I don’t see SBE and Modern RP as quite the same although they have a lot in common, which I’ll explain later.
The Historical Context of Traditional RP
Historically, RP has been associated with class, education, and upbringing, leading to negative reactions to the term despite the fact that RP has evolved into various forms. The term RP can be seen by some as divisive, prompting a move away from the terminology towards terms like SBE or “Neutral English”. The historical forms are often referred to as Traditional RP, Upper RP and Conservative RP.
But what were the original intentions of RP? Was it meant to create division? Removing historical connotations, the initial intention was to create a formalised standard pronunciation for mutual understanding. However, through its association with the upper classes, a more refined and distinct form, sometimes termed Upper RP, developed. This form is often the target of negative perceptions, as it can be perceived as overly affected or snooty.
Pronunciation vs. Tone in RP
An accent can sound welcoming and pleasant with the right tone, but with the wrong tone, it can be off-putting, whether intentional or not. Some forms of RP have inflections that can come across as unappealing, and this largely comes down to tone. A tone that conveys superiority or authority is unlikely to be well-received, even if this impression is unintentional.
There’s a difference between speaking clearly and speaking in a snooty manner, which is likely why RP has gained a bad reputation. This is evident in American films and TV series, where snooty characters and villains are often portrayed with British (RP) accents. On the other hand, RP is also used to convey sophistication in characters like James Bond or intelligence and finesse in characters such as R2D2 and Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Mockney Shift
This, I believe, is where RP has historically faced issues, which may explain why many RP speakers today have adopted a Mockney accent. The problem isn’t with clear articulation or pronunciation. Rather, it seems to stem from the tone of speech, which, if adjusted, could make the speaker far more relatable.
Standard British English (SBE) vs Modern Received Pronunciation (RP)
So, what is Modern RP, and how do I consider it different from SBE? In my opinion, RP is the clear articulation of British English sounds with distinct aspiration of vowels and consonants and a free flow of air from the lungs to the front of the mouth. This is achieved without excessive raising of the velar area and with a relaxed vocal tract, resulting in a clear articulation of the sounds of English, much like an instrument with finely tuned notes.
SBE may use the same vowels and consonants, but the /w/, dark /l/, and /r/ sounds may not be articulated with the same clarity and the flow of air can be slightly gutteral. While they borrow the same phonetic symbols and use the same phonetic chart, the quality of the sounds can differ slightly.