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Published: 04 November 2019

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• English
• received pronunciation
• ESL
• English pronunciation
• diplomat
• business
• definition
• RP accent
• dictionary

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.

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: 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: British politicians, including former Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher, 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

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Written by Anton

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Published: 02 June 2023

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Visit the following link for a more updated version of the content below: https://receivedpronunciation.com/daily-training-program

Introducing the Daily Training Program for an Authentic British English Accent

The Daily Training Program is a course that I designed to help students internalize the natural sounds of British English pronunciation and speak with an authentic British accent. It provides an alternative to costly private accent reduction lessons by minimizing the need for constant teacher intervention, allowing students to proceed comfortably at their own pace. 

Traditional accent reduction methods often fall short of producing desired results because while teachers can identify students' pronunciation mistakes and provide necessary drills, many students struggle to internalize the target sounds. This is primarily due to the infrequency of practice between weekly lessons, as students tend to revert to their familiar accents. Consequently, forming new habits and accelerating improvement becomes challenging, leading many to give up on improving their accent altogether.

To address this challenge, I created the Daily Training Program which offers a series of daily exercises focused on listening and repetition. These exercises aim to embed the natural sounds of British English into students' subconscious. By engaging in these exercises daily, students have the opportunity to reinforce their pronunciation skills consistently.

It is important to note that the Daily Training Program is methodologically designed to provide structured exercises and guidance for internalizing the building blocks of native-like speech. It starts with mastering the basic phonemes of English in their simplest forms, dissociating words and their meanings from their sounds. By focusing solely on internalizing these sounds, students can bypass the internal language filter and make significant strides in their accent improvement.

To support all students in their accent journey, access to the Daily Training Program's exercises is provided at no extra charge for those enrolled in my lessons. This ensures that students can practice and reinforce their pronunciation skills on a daily basis, leading to tangible progress and the acquisition of an authentic British accent.

Here's a breakdown of the Daily Training Program:

• Audio files and accompanying PDFs: The program provides recorded audio files of British English pronunciation (Received Pronunciation) along with PDF guides, creating a comprehensive learning package.
• Incremental approach: The program starts by breaking down sounds into the smallest possible segments and gradually combines them, allowing students to focus on articulating fundamental sounds without associating them with specific words or meanings.
• Progressive difficulty levels: There are various levels within the program, progressing from single phonemes to frequently used syllables, connecting sounds, two-word combinations, and beyond. This gradual increase in difficulty helps students build upon their skills as they progress.
• Spaced repetition: The program utilizes spaced repetition techniques, ensuring that students are exposed to the sounds repeatedly over time. This approach helps students absorb the sounds into their subconscious and reinforces their learning.
• High-quality audio recordings: The audio files are recorded using a professional microphone and encoded in MP3 format at 320kbps, ensuring clear and crisp sound quality for effective listening and practice.
• Continuous updates: The program is continually being updated to provide new content and exercises, ensuring that students have access to fresh material and can continue their progress.
• Integration with lessons: Combining the Daily Training Program with regular lessons enhances the learning experience and allows students to advance at an exponential rate by reinforcing their pronunciation skills consistently.

All files are professionally recorded using a Rode nt1a studio condenser microphone and encoded at 320kbps.

LEVEL 01 TRACKLIST

TOTAL TIME 52 minutes

1. plosive_01.mp3
2. plosive_02.mp3
3. plosive_03.mp3
4. plosive_04.mp3
5. fricative_01.mp3
6. fricative_02.mp3
7. fricative_03.mp3
8. fricative_04.mp3
9. fricative_05.mp3
10. consonant_misc_01.mp3
11. consonant_misc_02.mp3
12. consonant_misc_03.mp3
13. consonant_misc_04.mp3
14. consonant_misc_05.mp3
15. cluster_sounds_01.mp3
16. cluster_sounds_02.mp3
17. cluster_sounds_03.mp3
18. cluster_sounds_04.mp3
19. cluster_sounds_05.mp3
20. cluster_sounds_06.mp3
21. cluster_sounds_b_01.mp3
22. cluster_sounds_b_02.mp3
23. cluster_sounds_b_03.mp3
24. cluster_sounds_b_04.mp3
25. light_l_01.mp3
26. light_l_02.mp3
27. light_l_03.mp3
28. light_l_04.mp3
29. light_l_05.mp3
30. light_l_06.mp3
31. light_l_07.mp3

LEVEL 02 TRACKLIST

TOTAL TIME: 67 minutes

1. combination_plosive_01_v2.mp3
2. combination_plosive_02.mp3
3. combination_plosive_03.mp3
4. combination_plosive_04.mp3
5. combination_plosive_05.mp3
6. combination_plosive_06.mp3
7. combination_plosive_07.mp3
8. combination_plosive_08.mp3
9. combination_fricative_01_v2.mp3
10. combination_fricative_02.mp3
11. combination_fricative_03.mp3
12. combination_fricative_04.mp3
13. combination_fricative_05.mp3
14. combination_fricative_06.mp3
15. combination_fricative_07.mp3
16. combination_fricative_08.mp3
17. combination_fricative_09.mp3
18. combination_w_01.mp3
19. combination_w_02.mp3
20. combination_w_03.mp3
21. combination_w_04.mp3
22. combination_w_05.mp3
23. combination_w_06.mp3
24. combination_w_07.mp3
25. combination_w_08.mp3
26. combination_r_01.mp3
27. combination_r_02.mp3
28. combination_r_03.mp3
29. combination_r_04.mp3
30. combination_r_05.mp3
31. combination_r_06.mp3
32. combination_r_07.mp3
33. combination_r_08.mp3
34. combination_r_09.mp3
35. combination_r_10.mp3
36. l_combination_01.mp3

LEVEL 03 TRACKLIST

1. mid_central_vowel_01.mp3
2. mid_central_vowel_02.mp3
3. mid_central_vowel_03.mp3
4. mid_central_vowel_04.mp3
5. mid_central_vowel_05.mp3
6. central_vowels_01.mp3
7. central_vowels_02.mp3
8. central_vowels_03.mp3
9. central_vowels_04.mp3
10. central_vowels_05.mp3
11. central_vowels_06_v2.mp3
12. central_vowels_07.mp3
13. central_vowels_08.mp3
14. central_vowels_09.mp3
15. central_vowels_10.mp3
16. central_vowels_11.mp3
17. central_vowels_12.mp3
18. central_vowels_13.mp3
19. central_vowels_14.mp3
20. central_vowels_15.mp3
21. central_vowels_16.mp3
22. back_vowels_01_v2.mp3
23. back_vowels_02.mp3
24. back_vowels_03.mp3
25. back_vowels_04.mp3
26. back_vowels_05.mp3
27. back_vowels_06.mp3
28. back_vowels_07.mp3
29. back_vowels_01.mp3
30. back_vowels_08.mp3
31. front_vowels_01.mp3
32. front_vowels_02.mp3
33. front_vowels_04.mp3
34. front_vowels_05.mp3

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Written by Anton

Category: Uncategorised

Published: 27 March 2023

Hits: 13961

Guy Ritchie is a British film director, writer, and producer who is known for his distinctive style and his use of the mockney accent. The mockney accent is a fake cockney accent that has been adopted by many people from privileged backgrounds in the UK. In this article, we will explore Guy Ritchie's background, his manner of speech, and how adopting the mockney accent has influenced his working life. We will also look at some other examples of prominent figures who have adopted mockney.

Background

Guy Ritchie was born in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England, on September 10, 1968. His father, John Vivian Ritchie, was a Major in the British Army, and his mother, Amber Ritchie, was a model. Guy Ritchie grew up in a privileged environment and attended the prestigious public school, Stanbridge Earls School in Hampshire. Despite his privileged background, Guy Ritchie adopted the mockney accent, a fake cockney accent, which has become his signature style.

Manner of Speech

The mockney accent is a distinctive way of speaking that is associated with the East End of London. It is characterized by dropping the letter "H" at the beginning of words and using glottal stops. The accent is also characterized by the use of slang words and phrases that are unique to the East End of London. Guy Ritchie's manner of speech is a perfect example of the mockney accent. He drops the letter "H" at the beginning of words, and he uses slang words and phrases in his conversations.

Influence on Working Life

Guy Ritchie's is known for his gritty, urban, and often violent films that are set in the East End of London. His films are a reflection of his adopted accent, and they have helped to popularize the mockney accent in popular culture.

Other Examples of Prominent Figures who Adopted Mockney

Guy Ritchie is not the only prominent figure who has adopted the mockney accent. George Osborne, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Rishi Sunak, the current Chancellor of the Exchequer, are two other examples of people who have adopted the mockney accent. George Osborne was educated at St Paul's School, one of the most prestigious public schools in the UK, and Rishi Sunak was educated at Winchester College, another prestigious public school. However, both politicians have been known to use the mockney accent in their speeches, particularly when they are addressing working-class audiences.

Guy Ritchie's adoption of the mockney accent has become a defining characteristic of his work and his public persona. Despite his privileged background, Ritchie's use of the mockney accent has helped to create a connection between his films and the working-class culture of the East End of London. While some may argue that adopting the accent is a form of cultural appropriation, others see it as a way of breaking down class barriers and creating a more inclusive society. Regardless of one's perspective, there is no denying the impact that Guy Ritchie and other prominent figures have had on the popularization of the mockney accent.