Received Pronunciation

RP English monophthongs chart

Received Pronunciation (RP) is the accent traditionally regarded as the standard for British English. It is sometimes referred to as the "Queen's English," "Oxford English," or "BBC English." RP is associated with the educated speech of southern England and has historically been considered a prestigious accent.

History

The term "Received Pronunciation" was coined by the phonetician Daniel Jones in the early 20th century. RP emerged as a distinct accent in the late 19th century, influenced by the speech patterns of the upper classes and the public schools of England. It became widely recognized through its use by the BBC and other national institutions.

Characteristics

RP is characterized by its clear enunciation and lack of regional features. Some of its notable phonetic features include:

• Non-rhoticity: The "r" sound is not pronounced unless it is followed by a vowel.
• Trap-bath split: Words like "bath" and "dance" are pronounced with a long "a" sound.
• Distinct vowel sounds: RP has specific vowel sounds that differ from other accents, such as the "long e" in "fleece" and the "short i" in "kit."

Social Perception

RP has traditionally been associated with authority, education, and social status. However, its use has declined in recent years, with more regional accents gaining acceptance and prominence in public life. Despite this, RP remains an important reference point in the study of phonetics and sociolinguistics.

Modern Usage

While RP is less commonly spoken today, it is still used in certain contexts, such as in theatre, linguistics, and language education. It serves as a model for teaching English pronunciation to non-native speakers and is often used in dictionaries and language learning materials.

Related Pages

• British English
• Phonetics
• Sociolinguistics
• Non-rhoticity
• BBC English
• Daniel Jones (phonetician)