Chapter 5

Question 1

Explain the notion of received pronunciation

Answer 1

Received pronunciation (RP): a type of accent or a set of pronunciation characteristics traditionally associated with educated speakers of British English. It is considered a prestigious or standard accent and is often used in formal and official contexts. It is considered to be a neutral and clear form of pronunciation.
Key features:
*Not associated with a specific region. (historically associated with the speech of the educated classes in southern England)
*Associated with social prestige, education and class
*Clear articulation
*Specific vowel pronunciation (trap, bath)
*Consonant pronunciation (“r“ sound is often prnounced only when it precedes a vowel sound and it is not typically pronounced at the end of a word)

Question 2

What are the three types of Received pronunciation? Explain/describe each type.

Answer 2

A. Traditional:
also known as “BBC English“ or Oxford English
Classic form
Educated elite around London
Clear articulation
Non-rhocity
B. Contemporary:
reflects changes in the pronunciation patterns of younger speakers
modern and dynamic
great influence of regional accents and features
adaptation to changes in intonation
C. Estuary:
Accent that falls between received pronunciation and London accents
Working class
May include certain London or Cockney features, especially among younger speakers
Variable rhocity (some speakers pronouncing “r“ sound more frequently)
Greater flexibility in vowel quality, influenced by local accents

Question 3

3. Name and explain at least three tendencies in modern general RP (Received Pronunciation)

Answer 3

a) Increased rhoticity: among younger speakers. The “r“ sound may be pronounced at the end of the words or before consonants. (car, far)
b) Vowel changes: there have been shifts in the quality of certain vowels in modern general RP, influenced by variety of factors, including contact with other accents, globalization and changes in social dynamics. These shifts may involve alterations in vowel quality or the merging of vowel distinctions. (trap, bath)
c) Intonation patterns: influenced by social mobility, contact with regionals accents and changes in communication styles. (rising and falling intonation in declarative and interrogative sentences)

Question 4

Give at least three pronunciation differences between the Cockney dialect and RP
(Received Pronunciation)

Answer 4

1) H-drop
Cockney: the “h“ sound is often dropped at the beginning of words, especially in informal speech. (house-ouse)
RP: retains the “h“ sound at the beginning of words.
2) Th-fronting
Cockney: /th/ is pronounced as /f/ or /v/ (think-fink)
RP: maintains the original /ð/ and /Ɵ/ sounds
3) Vowel changes
Cockney: the vowel in words like “goat“ might be pronounced as a monophtong /o:/ instead of a diphthong /əʊ/, resulting in a pronunciation like “gawt“
RP: maintains diphthongal vowel sounds, including the /əʊ/ in words like “goat“

Question 5

Where is the Estuary accent spoken? Give at least one feature distinguishing the Estuary
accent from general received pronunciation.

Answer 5

The Estuary accent is spoken in the southeast of England, particularly in the areas surrounding the Thames Estuary. It is often considered a transitional accent that falls between RP and London accents, especially those associated with the working class in London.
Distinguishing feature: VARIABLE RHOTICITY
* Estuary accent: very dynamic, exhibits variable rhoticity, meaning that the pronunciation of the “r“ sound can vary between speakers and contexts. Some speakers may pronunce it and others may not.
* General RP: traditional pronunciation is non-rhotic.

Question 6

Give at least two vowel-related, two consonant-related, and two stress-related features
distinguishing the General American Accent(GA) from the General Received pronunciation(RP)

Answer 6

Vowel-related features:
1. Vowel /ɑ/:
* GA: the vowel /ɑ/ as in “thought“ is pronounced as a back, unrounded vowel. It is similar to the vowel found in “caught“.
* RP: the vowel /ɑ/ is pronounced as a front, unrounded vowel. (cat)
2. Diphthongization of /aɪ/:
* GA: in words like “ride“ tends to be more monophthongized, resulting in a sound closer to /ɑɪ/.
* RP: retains a more distinct diphthong in /aɪ/, so “ride“ would have a two-part sound.

Consonant-related features:
1. /r/ pronunciation:
* GA: pronounce the /r/ sound at the end of words and before consonants, known as RHOTICITY.
* RP: typically non-rhotic.
2. Flapping of /t/ and /d/:
* GA: pronounced as quick, light tap or flap. (butter-budder)
* RP: not typically flapped.
Stress-related features:
1. Sentence stress patterns:
* GA: more consistent use of a stress-timed rhythm, where stressed syllables are more evenly spaced, creating a rhythmic pattern in sentences.
* RP: more syllable-timed rhythm, where syllables are more evenly spaced, irrespective of stress.
2. Intonation patterns:
* GA: often uses a rising intonation at the end of statements, creating a questioning or uncertain effect. Statements may sound like questions.
* RP: tends to use a falling intonation at the end of statements, maintaining a more declarative and final tone.