BBC English Accent | Tutorial

Summary

In this video, Joel and Lia discuss BBC English, also known as Received Pronunciation (RP), focusing on key features like the 'u' sound in words like 'Duke' and 'during', stress placement in words like 'cigarette', and the correct pronunciation of the 'TU' sound in words like 'tube' and 'Tuesday'. They also explain how BBC English is no longer as common in the UK, especially in modern TV shows, and touch on debates around language usage, with some people still clinging to the old RP rules. The video offers a light-hearted take on linguistic history and diversity in British accents.

Takeaways

• 😀 BBC English, also known as RP English (Received Pronunciation), was historically the way people spoke on the BBC.
• 😀 BBC English is no longer the most common way of speaking in the UK, especially in London, but it is still useful for acting roles or learning about British pronunciation.
• 😀 The 'u' sound in BBC English is pronounced differently than in contemporary London English, e.g., 'Duke' and 'during' are said with a clear 'D' sound rather than a 'J'.
• 😀 Small pronunciation differences, like 'tissue' instead of 'tiss(h)ue' and 'issue' instead of 'iss(h)ue', are notable features of BBC English.
• 😀 Stress placement in words like 'cigarette' and 'laundrette' follows specific patterns in BBC English, which differ slightly from casual British speech.
• 😀 If you're interested in learning BBC English, watching shows like 'Mr. Selfridge' or 'The Crown' can be helpful since they feature characters who speak with RP accents.
• 😀 Another key feature is the pronunciation of the TU sound, as in 'Tuesday' or 'tube', where BBC English emphasizes a clean 'T' sound, unlike the Americanized version.
• 😀 The video emphasizes that this content is for people who want to learn BBC English for acting or personal interest, not necessarily for everyday communication.
• 😀 Prescriptivists, those who believe there is a 'correct' way to speak, continue to criticize deviations from traditional BBC English, like replacing 'th' sounds with 'f'.
• 😀 Descriptivists, on the other hand, argue that all accents and pronunciations are valid and that language should evolve with how people actually speak in modern society.

Q & A

What is BBC English, and why is it significant in this video?

BBC English, also known as RP (Received Pronunciation) English, is a traditional accent that was commonly used by BBC announcers. It was once considered a prestigious form of British English, but the video explains that it is no longer the most common accent in the UK today, though it is still taught and used for specific purposes like acting.

What is the first feature of BBC English discussed in the video?

The first feature discussed is the 'u' sound, particularly in words like 'Duke' and 'during.' In BBC English, the pronunciation avoids the 'j' sound and instead uses a pure 'd' and 'u' sound, unlike the contemporary London pronunciation, which incorporates a 'j' sound.

How does the pronunciation of 'Duke' differ between BBC English and contemporary London English?

In BBC English, 'Duke' is pronounced with a pure 'd' and 'u' sound, without the 'j' sound (as in 'djuke'). In contrast, contemporary London English would likely pronounce it with the 'j' sound ('juke').

What is the second feature of BBC English related to stress placement in words?

The second feature is stress placement in words like 'cigarette' and 'laundrette.' In BBC English, the stress is placed on the second syllable (i.e., 'cigarette' and 'laundrette'), as opposed to stressing the first syllable as in some other regional accents.

Why is the pronunciation of 'cigarette' considered significant in BBC English?

The pronunciation of 'cigarette' is significant because in BBC English, it is pronounced with stress on the second syllable ('cigarette') as opposed to the first syllable ('cigarette'). This subtle difference is an example of how accents and pronunciation are formalized in BBC English.

What is the third feature of BBC English mentioned in the video?

The third feature discussed is the pronunciation of words with 'TU' sounds, such as 'tuna,' 'Tuesday,' and 'tube.' In BBC English, these words are pronounced without the 'ch' sound, unlike in other accents (e.g., 't(ch)una' or 't(ch)ube').

How does the pronunciation of 'tube' differ in BBC English compared to American English?

In BBC English, 'tube' is pronounced with a diphthong, sounding like 'tuhb,' whereas in American English, it tends to be pronounced as 'toob' with a longer 'oo' sound. The distinction lies in the different ways the vowels are articulated.

What does the video say about the diversity of accents on the BBC today?

The video highlights that, unlike the past when BBC announcers were expected to have an RP accent, today the BBC features a variety of regional accents. This shift reflects a move away from the old-fashioned idea that only those with a BBC English accent could be employed at the BBC.

What is the distinction between 'prescriptivists' and 'descriptivists' mentioned in the video?

Prescriptivists believe that there is a 'correct' way to speak, often sticking to traditional forms like BBC English, while descriptivists view all forms of speech as valid and focus on describing how people actually speak, regardless of whether it follows traditional rules.

What example is provided in the video to show how language is evolving on the BBC?

An example discussed is a BBC announcer who faced public criticism for pronouncing 'th' as 'f' (e.g., 'Funderball' instead of 'Thunderball'). This controversy highlights how language use on the BBC is changing, with some people still adhering to traditional standards, while others embrace more natural, evolving speech patterns.