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How to Speak RP?

Published in RP Accent Guide 3 mins read

Learning to speak Received Pronunciation (RP), often considered the "standard" accent of British English, involves mastering specific pronunciation rules and speech patterns. Here's a breakdown:

RP, while less geographically specific than other accents, has distinct features. Here's how to approximate it:

Key Characteristics of RP

  • Non-rhoticity: This is a crucial feature. RP speakers generally don't pronounce the 'r' sound unless it is immediately followed by a vowel sound. According to reference material, the word "butter" is pronounced /ˈbʌtə/ in RP, while "buttery" is pronounced /ˈbʌtəri/ because the 'r' is followed by a vowel.

    • Examples:
      • far: /fɑː/
      • mother: /ˈmʌðə/
      • weather: /ˈwɛðə/
      • car: /kɑː/
      • star: /stɑː/
      • better: /ˈbɛtə/

  • Broad A: The 'a' sound in words like "bath," "path," and "grass" is pronounced as a broad /ɑː/ (as in "father") rather than the short /æ/ (as in "cat") that's common in many other accents.

  • Vowel Sounds: RP has distinct vowel sounds. Mastering these is essential. For example, the vowel sound in "strut" is often more centralised compared to some other accents.

Practical Steps to Learn RP

  1. Listen Actively: Immerse yourself in RP by listening to native speakers. Good sources include:

    • BBC news broadcasts.
    • RP speakers on YouTube.
    • British films and TV shows.

  2. Focus on Specific Sounds: Pay close attention to the vowel and consonant sounds mentioned above. Practice mimicking these sounds.

  3. Record Yourself: Record yourself speaking and compare your pronunciation to that of native RP speakers. This helps identify areas for improvement.

  4. Practice Minimal Pairs: Practice words that differ by only one sound (minimal pairs) to refine your pronunciation. For example: "pat" and "part", or "bed" and "bad".

  5. Seek Feedback: If possible, get feedback from a native RP speaker or a qualified accent coach.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

  • Habitual Pronunciation: Breaking ingrained pronunciation habits from your native accent can be challenging. Be patient and persistent.
  • Consistently Applying Non-rhoticity: Remember the rule: pronounce the 'r' only when followed by a vowel.
  • Over-Correction: Avoid over-pronouncing sounds, which can sound unnatural. Listen carefully to authentic RP speech to maintain a natural rhythm and intonation.

By consistently practicing these techniques and paying close attention to the nuances of RP, you can gradually improve your pronunciation and sound more like a native speaker.

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