PERFECT YOUR RP ACCENT | Southern ENGLISH Accent Coach

Summary

In this informative video, voice and accent coach Molly dives into the intricacies of mastering the Received Pronunciation (RP) accent, also known as the Queen's English. She covers the nuances of oral posture, consonants, and vowel sounds, highlighting common mistakes and providing tips for a more natural RP sound. Molly also discusses the accent's musicality, including its smooth, slurred speech and pitch patterns. Aimed at helping learners achieve a modern RP accent, the video offers practical advice and encourages practice for a relaxed and authentic delivery.

Takeaways

• 🎙️ The video is about perfecting the Received Pronunciation (RP) accent, also known as the Queen's English, which is traditionally associated with the south of England, the BBC, and British media.
• 👤 The speaker, Molly, is a voice and accent coach based in London, who grew up in Surrey and has a modern RP accent.
• 🗣️ The script discusses the evolution of RP into 'modern RP' or 'SSB', which differs from the traditional RP or 'heightened RP' heard in historical media.
• 👄 The importance of oral posture in accent training is highlighted, with the modern RP accent requiring a relaxed mouth setup for efficient sound production.
• 🔊 The script emphasizes the non-rotic nature of the modern RP accent, where 'R' sounds are not always pronounced, especially after vowels, unless they are between two vowel sounds or at the beginning of a word.
• 👅 Different pronunciation techniques for 'R' sounds are presented, including a labiodental fricative 'R' using teeth and lips, and a tongue-based 'R' without lip involvement.
• 💬 The script mentions the dropping of 'T' sounds in the middle of sentences in modern RP, which is more relaxed compared to the heightened RP.
• 🦷 The 'TH' sound in modern RP is made by placing the tongue between the teeth, contrasting with some London accents that might replace it with an 'F' or 'V' sound.
• 👅 The difference between 'light L' and 'velarized L' is explained, with the former used at the start of words and the latter at the end.
• 🎵 The schwa sound, a relaxed and neutral 'uh' sound, is a key component of the modern RP accent, often used in casual speech.
• 📈 The script touches on the musicality of the modern RP accent, characterized by a tendency to slur words together, a generally flat intonation, and a downward inflection at the end of sentences.

Q & A

What does RP stand for and what is its significance in the English language?

RP stands for Received Pronunciation, which is also known as the Queen's English. It is significant as it is traditionally associated with the south of England, the BBC, and has been a standard in media for many years.

What is the difference between modern RP and heightened RP?

Modern RP is a more relaxed and contemporary version of the Received Pronunciation, while heightened RP, sometimes referred to as period drama RP, is a more formal and exaggerated version that might be used in historical dramas or by the royal family.

Who is Molly and what is her background in relation to the RP accent?

Molly is a voice and accent coach based in London. She grew up in Surrey, outside of London, in a middle-class environment and naturally speaks with a modern RP accent.

What is oral posture and why is it important for mastering the RP accent?

Oral posture refers to the setup of the mouth when producing sounds within a particular accent. It is important for mastering the RP accent because it helps to manipulate the pharynx and articulators efficiently to produce the accent's characteristic sounds.

How does the speaker describe the ideal oral posture for the modern RP accent?

The ideal oral posture for the modern RP accent is described as relaxed, with the tongue positioned behind the bottom teeth and minimal movement of the jaw and lips.

What are the two main ways to pronounce the 'r' sound in the RP accent?

The two main ways to pronounce the 'r' sound in the RP accent are the labiodental fricative 'r', where the lips and teeth are involved, and the tongue 'r', where the tongue raises in the mouth without the involvement of the lips and teeth.

When is it appropriate to drop the 't' sound in the modern RP accent?

In the modern RP accent, the 't' sound can be dropped when it appears in the middle of a sentence and is not at the end of a word or followed by a pause.

What is the difference between a light 'l' and a velarized 'l' in the RP accent?

A light 'l' is produced with the tip of the tongue flicking behind the upper teeth and is used at the beginning of words, while a velarized 'l' is produced with the tongue raised towards the soft palate and is used at the end of words.

Why is the schwa sound important in the modern RP accent?

The schwa sound is important in the modern RP accent because it represents a relaxed and neutral sound that is often used in casual speech, making it easier to transition between words.

How does the speaker describe the musicality or prosody of the modern RP accent?

The speaker describes the musicality of the modern RP accent as having a smooth and slurred quality, with words often running together and a tendency to go down at the end of sentences unless emphasizing or asking a question.

What advice does Molly give for those who might be overdoing the RP accent?

Molly advises to keep the accent relaxed and to avoid over-egging it, as doing so can make the accent feel caricatured or pantomime-like. She emphasizes that 'less is more' when mastering the RP accent.