Received Pronunciation (RP), often called “The Queen’s English,” represents the most globally recognized British accent, though interestingly, it’s spoken by only about 2% of the British population[2]. Unlike other British accents, RP isn’t tied to a specific region but rather emerged as a social dialect, historically associated with the educated upper classes, public schools, and the British establishment.
This prestigious accent has evolved significantly over the decades, with even the late Queen Elizabeth II’s speech patterns showing a gradual shift toward a more modern form of RP[2]. Today’s RP speakers include notable figures like Daniel Craig, Emma Thompson, and David Attenborough, with Joanna Lumley being particularly celebrated for her “smooth, creamy” RP delivery[3]. Each of these speakers demonstrates how RP can range from crisp and authoritative to warm and engaging.
Modern RP is characterized by specific phonological features that set it apart from other British accents. These include the distinctive long ‘a’ in words like “bath,” consistent pronunciation of ‘h’ sounds at the beginning of words, and the non-pronunciation of ‘r’ at the end of words like “mother”[2]. The accent carries what linguists call “overt prestige” due to its historical association with the establishment, though its status has evolved in contemporary Britain to become less rigid and more adaptable[2].
For those interested in hearing authentic examples of RP, David Attenborough’s nature documentaries provide excellent demonstrations of modern RP, while older recordings of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Christmas speeches showcase its more traditional form[5]. The accent continues to evolve, becoming less rigid and more accessible while maintaining its reputation for clarity and precision in communication.
Sources
[1] wordbotherers.com https://wordbotherers.com
[2] Accents – Received Pronunciation & Brummie – English Language: AQA A Level https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/revision-notes/a-level/english-language/aqa/3-4-4-accents-received-pronunciation-and-brummie
[3] What famous people speak with an RP accent – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SLcDwATojwQ
[4] Accent Quickie – English Received Pronunciation (RP) – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMMnBKpDGYM
[5] Mastering The Queen’s English https://blog.londonspeechworkshop.com/if-the-queen-were-my-client
[6] The Queen’s English Accent – Pronunciation Studio https://pronunciationstudio.com/the-queens-english-accent/
Here’s a comprehensive guide for writing characters with Received Pronunciation (RP):
Core Characteristics
RP is characterized by its precise, carefully articulated pronunciation and is considered the standard accent of Southern England. It’s important to note that RP is an accent, not a dialect, as speakers use Standard English vocabulary[1].
Phonetic Features
Vowel Sounds
– Use long “ah” sounds in words like “bath,” “grass,” “dance,” and “can’t”[5]
– Words ending in “-er” or “-ow” become “eh” sounds (e.g., “brother” becomes “brutheh”)[5]
– The word “poor” is pronounced as “paw”
– “Law and order” becomes “lawrand order”[6]
Consonants
– Non-rhotic: Drop the ‘r’ sound unless followed by a vowel[6]
– Fully articulate each consonant without rushing[5]
– The word “particularly” becomes “par-tic-yoo-lahr-ly”[5]
Common Features in Writing
Linking R
When a word ending in ‘r’ is followed by a word beginning with a vowel:
– “four eyes” becomes “four-rise”
– “more apples” becomes “more-rapples”[6]
Word Choice and Structure
– “I’ve not seen” rather than “I haven’t seen”[4]
– “Do you mind if I…” rather than “Can I…”
– “Rather” instead of “pretty” (as in “rather good”)
– “Quite” used frequently (“quite right,” “quite so”)
Writing Tips
1. Avoid overusing phonetic spelling as it can distract readers[3]
2. Focus on word choice and sentence structure rather than accent markers[4]
3. Use occasional British terms to establish the voice:
– “post” instead of “mail”
– “lift” instead of “elevator”
– “queue” instead of “line”
Common Expressions
– “I should think so”
– “I dare say”
– “Indeed”
– “Rather!”
– “One does rather think…”
– “Frightfully good”
– “Splendid”
What to Avoid
1. Don’t mix RP with informal British slang[5]
2. Avoid overusing stereotypical phrases like “pip pip” or “cheerio”
3. Don’t confuse RP with other British accents like Cockney or Estuary English[1]
4. Steer clear of dropping consonants, which is not characteristic of RP[6]
Remember that modern RP has evolved from its most conservative form, and younger speakers may use a more relaxed version while maintaining the core pronunciation features[6].
Sources
[1] Received Pronunciation (RP) | Accent, Audio Examples … – Britannica https://www.britannica.com/topic/Received-Pronunciation
[2] Accents – Received Pronunciation & Brummie – English Language https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/revision-notes/a-level/english-language/aqa/3-4-4-accents-received-pronunciation-and-brummie
[3] How to convey accents in fiction writing: Beyond phonetic spelling https://www.louiseharnbyproofreader.com/blog/how-to-convey-accents-in-fiction-writing-beyond-phonetic-spelling
[4] Dialogue in fiction: Part I – How to write authentic dialects and … https://penultimateword.com/fiction/dialect-in-dialogue-how-to-write-authentic-dialect-and-foreign-accents/
[5] Received Pronunciation Accent [British RP English, Examples] https://golocalise.com/blog/received-pronunciation-accent-guide
[6] Received Pronunciation: Definition & Examples | StudySmarter https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/english/global-english/received-pronunciation/
[7] Writing style: 10 tips for writing authentic voices – Method Writing https://method-writing.com/10-tips-for-writing-authentic-voices-accent/
