RP Flashcards
Why was it / is it a surprise to many that only 3-5% of the population speak RP?
More commonly heard in the media- BBC English ( clear and easy to understand)
Where does this statistic come from?
Trudgill
How large was the random sample used for this study?
50
How many of those spoke RP?
1
Die the sample used raise any issues?
Rp is seen as “regionally neutral “
-had overt prestige
-better future chances
“This raises an interesting question: if RP is a minority accent why so we spend so much effort specking it to non-native RP speakers?”
It’s perceived as the accent of the upper class and has overt prestige within UK society meaning it comes across as a professional and clear to understand meaning it’s highly valued in certain situations such as a job interview/workplace.
Why is RP an unusual minority accent?
Only 3-5% of the population actually speak it.
From where does the RP accent originate?
South East England
How does it differ from the accents of the South West?
Non-rhotic
How does it differ from the accents if the North?
Has a different A sound eg dance and bath
What reason is given for RP’s lack of regionality?
Peculiar set of sociolinguistics preconditions.
What has changed about RP in the last few decades?
Phonetic and phonological changes
No alveolar tap
Attitudes toward it
What conclusions were reached about the RP accent from Giles’ MGT?
It’s seen as educated,confident and reliable but also insincere,cold and less persuasive.
Where are regional accents being employed in preference to RP?
Perceptions of snobbiness
Division created by a lack of representation
What is adoptive RP?
Non-native users adopting RP
Why does Trudgill dispute that RP is disappearing? ( 3 reasons)
RP has been over-represented (this is changing!)
Speakers are not adopting RP as much (less prestige)
RP is changing from traditional (not recognisable as RP in the same way)
What does the work of Fabricius suggest?
RP is changing but it’s still RP.
