RECEIVED PRONUNCIATION Meaning and
Definition
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Received Pronunciation (RP) refers to the accent and variety of English spoken primarily by educated speakers in the United Kingdom. It is considered the standard accent and is associated with prestige and social status. RP is also commonly known as the "Queen's English," "Oxford English," or "BBC English."
In terms of pronunciation, RP is characterized by specific features, including its lack of regional dialect features and a more neutral or unmarked accent. It does not exhibit the distinctive accents of particular regions in the UK, such as Cockney, Geordie, or Scouse. RP speakers tend to pronounce the "r" sound at the end of words, in contrast to some regional accents where it may be dropped, and they largely maintain the distinction between long and short vowel sounds.
The origin of RP can be traced back to the mid-18th century when it was spoken by the upper class and the British elite. It became associated with the standard form of English used in government, law, education, and the media. Although its influence has diminished somewhat in recent years, it continues to play a significant role in the perception of a refined and cultivated English accent.
It is important to note that RP is not indicative of intelligence or superior communication skills; rather, it is a socio-linguistic marker associated with certain social strata. It is also worth mentioning that the use of RP has evolved over time, and it is not uniformly spoken by all individuals in high social positions in the UK today.
Common Misspellings for RECEIVED PRONUNCIATION
- eeceived pronunciation
- deceived pronunciation
- feceived pronunciation
- teceived pronunciation
- 5eceived pronunciation
- 4eceived pronunciation
- rwceived pronunciation
- rsceived pronunciation
- rdceived pronunciation
- rrceived pronunciation
- r4ceived pronunciation
- r3ceived pronunciation
- rexeived pronunciation
- reveived pronunciation
- refeived pronunciation
- redeived pronunciation
- recwived pronunciation
- recsived pronunciation
- recdived pronunciation
- recrived pronunciation
Etymology of RECEIVED PRONUNCIATION
The term "Received Pronunciation" (RP) was coined in the 19th century and is used to describe the accent of Standard English spoken in southern England, particularly among educated individuals and the upper class.
The word "received" in "Received Pronunciation" comes from the Latin word "receptus", which means "accepted" or "approved". This implies that RP is considered the accepted or standard form of pronunciation in the English language.
The term "pronunciation" relates to the way words and sounds are spoken or articulated. "Pronunciation" itself originates from the Latin word "pronuntiare", meaning "to announce" or "to proclaim".
In summary, "Received Pronunciation" refers to an accepted and standardized way of pronouncing words in English, particularly in the southern region of England.
