Introduction

The Received Pronunciation (RP) English accent is often considered the standard accent of British English. It’s also known as the Queen’s English, Oxford English, and BBC English. While it’s not as commonly spoken today, it remains an important marker of social status and education. If you’re looking to learn and perfect your RP English accent, follow these 11 tips:

1. Familiarize yourself with RP speakers

The best way to learn any accent is to immerse yourself in it. Watch movies, TV shows, and interviews featuring speakers with a strong RP accent, such as actors Benedict Cumberbatch and Hugh Grant.

2. Focus on vowel sounds

One of the primary differences between RP and other accents is its distinct vowel sounds. Pay close attention to them while listening to RP speakers and practice mimicking these sounds.

3. Master the “schwa” sound

The schwa sound (ə) is an unstressed, central vowel that’s very common in the RP English accent. Learn to recognize this sound and incorporate it into your own speech.

4. Drop your “r” sounds where necessary

In general, RP speakers do not pronounce the “r” when it comes at the end of a word or before another consonant.

5. Use “intrusive R”

It may sound contradictory, but RP speakers also use “intrusive R” when linking words that end with a vowel sound and begin with another vowel sound, adding an ‘r’ in between them.

6. Emphasize your Ts

Unlike some accents where T-sounds may be softened or skipped altogether, in RP, the T is usually enunciated clearly.

7. Learn intonation patterns

Listen carefully to how native speakers vary their pitch within sentences when speaking with an RP accent. Noticing these patterns will help you mimic them more accurately.

8. Practice your TH sounds

It’s crucial to distinguish between voiceless (θ) and voiced (ð) TH sounds in an RP accent. Pay attention to which words use which sound and practice them accordingly.

9. Use a more neutral tone of voice

The RP accent tends to have a somewhat neutral, level sound. Avoid overly strong regional influences in your speech and strive for a more balanced tone.

10. Record yourself speaking

Recording yourself is a great way to objectively listen back to your speech, identify areas that need improvement, and track progress over time.

11. Work with a speech coach or attend workshops

If possible, work with a speech coach who specializes in the RP English accent to hone your skills. Alternatively, attend workshops or classes that focus on accent training.

Conclusion

Achieving an authentic RP English accent takes dedication and practice, but it’s not impossible. Immerse yourself in the accent, master key pronunciation features, and practice regularly. With persistence and effort, you’ll soon be on your way to speaking the Queen’s English flawlessly!