Say These 100 DAILY WORDS in a British Accent! (MODERN RP)

Summary

In this pronunciation training session, the instructor guides students through 100 everyday English words, focusing on key features of the Modern Received Pronunciation (RP) accent. The session includes step-by-step instructions on pronunciation techniques such as the schwa sound, the glottal stop, and the soft /j/ sound. Students are encouraged to practice through shadowing, repeating words and sentences along with the instructor. The lesson covers both common and challenging words, helping students improve fluency, rhythm, and confidence in their spoken English, while emphasizing the flexibility of accent and individual pronunciation style.

Takeaways

• 😀 The lesson is designed to help students improve their pronunciation in Modern Received Pronunciation (RP), with a focus on 100 everyday words.
• 😀 The lesson is structured around 10 categories, each targeting a specific feature of British pronunciation or vocabulary.
• 😀 The technique of 'shadowing' is used, where students are encouraged to speak along with the instructor to build fluency and improve pronunciation.
• 😀 Key features of Modern RP include the schwa sound (/uh/) and the absence of the 'r' sound at the end of words or before consonants.
• 😀 Students will practice pronunciation of common words that end in '-er' and use the schwa sound, such as 'shower' and 'driver'.
• 😀 In words like 'weather,' the 'r' sound is pronounced when followed by a vowel, but often omitted before consonants in RP.
• 😀 The glottal stop is introduced as a common feature in informal speech, replacing the 't' sound in words like 'football' and 'hot'.
• 😀 The lesson includes common words with the 'j' sound (e.g., 'Tuesday') and explains the difference between British and North American pronunciation.
• 😀 The /ɒ/ sound, as in 'offer,' is practiced, showing how it contrasts with North American 'o' sounds in words like 'often' and 'October'.
• 😀 The script also discusses regional differences in pronunciation, including how words like 'half' and 'receipt' are commonly mispronounced or shortened.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of this pronunciation training session?

The primary focus of this session is to help students improve their pronunciation of 100 everyday words, specifically using the Modern Received Pronunciation (RP) accent.

How does the trainer suggest students practice pronunciation during the lesson?

The trainer suggests two main steps: first, she models each word slowly and then faster, asking students to repeat after her. Second, they practice the words together in full sentences using a technique called shadowing, where students speak along with the trainer at the same time.

What is the schwa sound and how does it feature in Modern RP?

The schwa sound is the most common sound in English, represented as /ə/, and it appears at the end of words like 'whether', 'shower', and 'shopper'. In Modern RP, the letter 'r' at the end of words is often silent or replaced with the schwa sound, while in American accents, it is pronounced as /uhr/.

What is shadowing and how does it help with pronunciation?

Shadowing is a technique where students repeat words or sentences at the same time as the speaker. This helps build fluency, improve English rhythm, and boost confidence in speaking with accurate pronunciation.

What is the significance of the glottal stop in Modern RP?

The glottal stop is a sound made by closing the throat and then releasing the air, often replacing the /t/ sound in informal speech. It is an important feature in many British accents, though not commonly used in the middle of words in Modern RP.

How does the /j/ sound differ in British and North American English?

In British English, a soft /j/ sound is often inserted before the /uː/ vowel sound in words like 'new', while in many North American accents, this sound is dropped, and 'new' sounds like 'nuː'. Additionally, /t/ and /j/ sounds can combine to make a 'ch' sound, like in 'Tuesday'.

What is the correct pronunciation of the 'oh' sound in Modern RP?

In Modern RP, the 'oh' sound is made by starting with the schwa sound /ə/ and then smoothly gliding to an /ʊ/ sound, as in 'good'. This is different from other accents that might pronounce it with a longer 'o' sound.

How does the pronunciation of the /aː/ sound in words like 'car' differ in Modern RP?

The /aː/ sound in Modern RP is a long, open sound, as heard in words like 'task' and 'laugh'. This sound is less common in northern England and North American accents, where a shorter /æ/ sound might be used instead.

What role do shortened words play in British pronunciation?

In British English, it is common to shorten words in casual, fast speech. For example, 'ordinary' becomes 'ordinary', and 'library' might be shortened. These shortened forms are often used in informal conversations, especially when speaking quickly.

Can you give an example of how words are pronounced differently in British and North American English?

Yes, words like 'route', 'vase', and 'privacy' are pronounced differently. In British English, 'route' might be pronounced as 'root', while in North American English, it sounds more like 'rout'. Similarly, 'vase' in British English has a long 'a' sound, while in North American English, it uses a long 'a' or 'ah' sound.