received pronunciation
C1Formal, Academic, Sociolinguistic
Definition
Meaning
The standard accent of British English, historically associated with educated speakers in southern England and used as a model for teaching English as a foreign language.
A socially prestigious, non-regional accent of British English, often perceived as a marker of education, social class, or formality. It is a specific phonological system, not a matter of grammar or vocabulary.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is often capitalised (Received Pronunciation). It is frequently abbreviated to 'RP'. It is an accent, not a dialect. It is a social construct whose prestige and defining characteristics have evolved and been debated over time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
RP is a specifically British concept. In American English, there is no exact equivalent, though 'General American' (GA) sometimes serves a similar function as a non-regional standard for broadcasting and teaching.
Connotations
In the UK, RP can connote education, authority, or a traditional upper/middle-class background, but also elitism or being out-of-touch. In the US, it is often simply recognised as a 'British accent' and may connote sophistication or formality.
Frequency
The term is used frequently in UK linguistics, media, and education contexts. In general American usage, the term is rare and would typically only be used in academic or very specific discussions about British English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] speaks with Received Pronunciation.Received Pronunciation is often [past participle] (e.g., taught, adopted, studied).The [noun] of Received pronunciation is debated.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To speak with a plumb in one's mouth (colloquial/informal synonym for speaking with an RP accent).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely directly referenced. An executive might be described as having an RP accent, implying a certain background.
Academic
Common in linguistics, phonetics, sociolinguistics, and TEFL contexts to describe a standard phonetic model.
Everyday
Used in discussions about accents, social class, or perceptions of people. Might be used by actors or language learners.
Technical
A precise sociolinguistic and phonetic term for a specific accent continuum, often discussed in terms of its evolving features (e.g., near-RP, conservative vs. contemporary RP).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He received pronunciation training at drama school.
- Her accent has been received as rather aloof.
American English
- The linguist received pronunciation data from the survey.
- His speech was poorly received due to its strong regionality.
adverb
British English
- He spoke receivedly? (Note: This is not a standard or natural usage. RP is almost exclusively a noun phrase.)
American English
- (No natural adverbial use exists for this term.)
adjective
British English
- She has a received pronunciation accent.
- The received pronunciation model is less dominant than it once was.
American English
- The actor attempted a received pronunciation style for the role. (Note: 'RP accent' is more common.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My teacher speaks with Received Pronunciation.
- What is Received Pronunciation?
- Some newsreaders on the BBC use Received Pronunciation.
- Received Pronunciation is different from my local accent.
- Although often seen as standard, Received Pronunciation is just one of many British accents.
- The prestige of Received Pronunciation has declined in recent decades.
- Contemporary sociolinguistic studies often distinguish between conservative, mainstream, and advanced forms of Received Pronunciation.
- The adoption of Received Pronunciation in the colonial education system had lasting linguistic effects.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of it as the pronunciation that was historically 'received' (accepted) by high society and institutions like the BBC.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACCENT IS A SOCIAL LADDER (RP is at the top); LANGUAGE IS A TOOL (RP is a specific, standardised tool).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'received' literally as 'полученный'. The phrase is a fixed term.
- Do not confuse with 'правильное произношение' (correct pronunciation). RP is one specific type, not inherently 'correct'.
- RP is not 'лондонское произношение' (London pronunciation), as it is specifically non-regional.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'RP' to refer to formal or correct grammar. It is purely about sound.
- Thinking all British people speak RP. It is a minority accent.
- Pronouncing 'received' as /riˈsaɪvd/; the first vowel is /ɪ/.
- Capitalising incorrectly (often left in lower case).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a key characteristic of Received Pronunciation?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar. 'The Queen's/King's English' traditionally refers to both accent (RP) and standard grammar/vocabulary. RP is specifically the accent component.
No. Only a small percentage of the UK population speaks RP as their native accent. It is estimated at around 2-3%.
Not anymore. While RP was the official standard for BBC announcers for much of the 20th century, the BBC now actively employs presenters with a wide variety of regional and social accents.
It depends on your goals. RP provides a clear, widely understood model, especially for learners focusing on British English. However, other models like General American or a more contemporary British standard are equally valid. Intelligibility is more important than mimicking a specific prestige accent.