Received Pronunciation

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Commonly attributed to Alexander John Ellis[1] but already used earlier.[2][3]

Proper noun[edit]

Received Pronunciation

  1. The form of pronunciation of the English language traditionally spoken by the educated classes of the south-east of England, considered to be a standard (see received) and used as such in the pronunciation schemes of most British dictionaries. Abbreviation: RP
    Synonyms: BBC English, King's English, Queen's English, RP

Translations[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Alexander John Ellis (1869) On Early English Pronunciation, New York: Greenwood Press, published 1968, page 23:
    In the present day we may, however, recognize a received pronunciation all over the country, not widely differing in any particular locality, and admitting a certain degree of variety. It may be especially considered as the educated pronunciation of the metropolis, of the court, the pulpit, and the bar.
  2. ^ Rules to be obſerved by the Natives of Scotland for attaining a juſt Pronunciation of Engliſh.” in John Walker, A Critical Pronouncing Dictionary [] , London: Sold by G. G. J. and J. Robinſon, Paternoſter Row; and T. Cadell, in the Strand, 1791, →OCLC, page xiii: “
    For though the pronunciation of London is certainly erroneous in many words, [] it is undoubtedly the beſt; [] that is, not only the beſt by courteſy, and becauſe it happens to be the pronunciation of the capital, but the beſt by a better title; that of being more generally received: [] ”.
  3. ^ Daniel Jones (1924) An English Pronouncing Dictionary, London: J.M. Dent, published 1944, page x:
    Nevertheless the fact remains that people in every important centre often have opportunities of hearing the above-mentioned pronunciation either from residents who have had a public school education, or through the constant intercommunication with London, or through the school teachers, or last, but not least, through broadcasting. For these reasons I think it probable that this form of speech is more widely understood with ease in Great Britain than any other form would be. In what follows I call it ‘Received Pronunciation’ (abbreviation RP), for want of a better term.

Further reading[edit]

Portuguese[edit]

Proper noun[edit]

Received Pronunciation f

  1. Received Pronunciation (English pronunciation used by the educated classes southeastern England)