Perfect Your British Accent with Pronunciation Training

Perfect Your British Accent with Pronunciation Training

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Mastering the Modern RP English Accent
   1. Regional Variations of the Accent
   2. Clear Pronunciation
   3. Pronouncing R's
   4. Dropping T's
   5. Yod Dropping
   6. Long Vowel Sounds
   7. Veebsy: A Pronunciation App for Practice
3. Taking Out the R's
   1. Silent or Vowel Sound R's
   2. Examples of Silent or Vowel Sound R's
   3. Practice Sentences
4. Dropping T's
   1. Dropping T's in Connected Speech
   2. Glottal Stop in Dropped T's
   3. Differentiating from American Accent
   4. Examples of Dropping T's
   5. Practice Sentences
5. Yod Dropping
   1. Not Dropping the "Yeah" Sound
   2. Words with the "Yeah" Sound
   3. Practice Sentences
6. Long Vowel Sounds
   1. Importance of Long Vowel Sounds in RP Accent
   2. Long R Sound
   3. Long ER Sound
   4. Examples of Long Vowel Sounds
   5. Practice Sentences
7. Introducing Veebsy: A Powerful Pronunciation App
   1. Features of Veebsy
   2. Speech Duet Function
   3. Learning Sentences and Receiving Feedback
   4. Tracking Progress
   5. Joining Live Pronunciation Sessions
   6. Access to Tutors
8. Conclusion

Mastering the Modern RP English Accent

The modern RP English accent is a regionally neutral and clear accent widely spoken in England, particularly in the south. In this article, we will explore the specific features of this accent and provide tips to help you master it. We will also introduce Veebsy, a fantastic pronunciation app that can assist you in improving your English pronunciation.

Introduction

The modern RP English accent, also known as Received Pronunciation, is a highly desired accent to learn. It is spoken by actors, individuals on the BBC, politicians, and famous figures such as Gemma Chan, Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and Hugh Grant. This accent is clear and regionally neutral, making it an excellent choice for learners. In this article, we will guide you through the process of mastering the modern RP English accent, providing examples and practice sentences along the way.

Regional Variations of the Accent

While the modern RP English accent can be found all over the UK, its prevalence is greater in England, particularly in the southern regions. However, the accent is regionally neutral, meaning it can be found throughout the country.

Clear Pronunciation

One of the essential aspects of the modern RP English accent is clear pronunciation. To achieve this, learners should focus on articulating each sound correctly and enunciating words precisely. Clear pronunciation is crucial for effective communication and understanding.

Pronouncing R's

In the modern RP English accent, certain words have pronounced "r" sounds, while others have silent or vowel sound r's. For example, words ending in "er," "ar," "or," and "ir" do not have an "r" sound in British English. Instead, they are pronounced as a schwa, represented by an "uh" sound. Words such as "teacher," "water," "computer," "lover," "butter," "actor," "doctor," and "burglar" follow this rule.

However, when an "r" is followed by a vowel sound, such as in the word "Harry," the "r" is pronounced. For words like "art," "herd," "apartment," "hardly," "firstly," "Thursday," "thirsty," and "dirt," the "r" is elongated, sounding more like "ah" or "er" when paired with a "d," "t," or "s."

Examples:

• Art
• Herd
• Apartment
• Hardly
• Firstly
• Thursday
• Thirsty
• Dirt

It's important to note that the modern RP English accent does not have a strong "rhotic R" sound like in some American accents.

• Practice Sentences:
  • There are hardly any art galleries that I like these days.
  • I went with my lover to see some art.
  • I love eating butter, but it isn't good for my heart.
  • Firstly, I want to see the new apartment, and then I would like to have a glass of water because I'm thirsty.

Dropping T's

In connected speech, it is common to drop T's in some words. However, in the modern RP English accent, T's should be pronounced clearly, unless they are followed by a glottal stop.

In American English, T's are often dropped when paired with an "n." For example, words like "twenty," "interview," "winter," and "plenty" are pronounced without the T sound. However, in the British accent, these words are pronounced with the T sound.

Examples:

• Twenty
• Years
• Winters
• Intense
• I have plenty of job interviews this week.
• My boyfriend is getting fatter every minute.
• Can you get me a bottle of water?

Yod Dropping

In the modern RP English accent, the "yeah" sound in words should not be dropped. Although some regions in the UK and American English drop this sound, it is important to maintain it in the modern RP accent.

Words such as "news," "Tuesday," "enthusiasm," "during," and "endurance" should all include the "yeah" sound.

Examples:

• News

• During

• Enthusiasm

• Tuesday

• Endurance

• Practice Sentences:

  • I feel more enthusiastic on a Tuesday.
  • During the weekends, I like to watch the news.
  • I have lots of enthusiasm for sport but not much endurance.

Long Vowel Sounds

In the modern RP English accent, long vowel sounds are emphasized and elongated. Unlike in American English, where vowel sounds may be shortened, the RP accent requires a more extended pronunciation, making a meal of each sound.

For example, the "r" sound in words like "grass," "castle," "glass," "giraffe," "can't," "plant," "fast," and "fasten" is elongated. The "er" sound in words like "liking," "bird," "girl," "world," "heard," and "third" is also pronounced for a longer duration.

Examples:

• Grass

• Castle

• Glass

• Giraffe

• Can't

• Fast

• Fasten

• Practice Sentences:

  • How far away is my car?
  • The castle has extensive grounds with green grass.
  • I'm going to have a bath.
  • Can't you fasten your seat belt?
  • I walked to work.
  • The early bird catches the worm.
  • Reserve the third shirt.
  • When I worked on the nature reserve, I got burnt.

Veebsy: A Pronunciation App for Practice

To further enhance your pronunciation skills, we recommend using Veebsy, a powerful pronunciation app. Veebsy offers several technological features, including "Speech Duet," where you can compare your pronunciation with an expert's and learn correct mouth shapes for each sentence. The app also allows you to record yourself speaking and receive live feedback on your pronunciation.

With hundreds of sentences available across categories such as business, social, and inspiration, Veebsy provides ample opportunities to practice and improve your English pronunciation. Additionally, the app offers live pronunciation sessions and access to tutors to further assist you in your language learning journey.

Most of the app's functions are free to use, making it an excellent resource for learners looking to perfect their modern RP English accent.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering the modern RP English accent requires attention to specific features, such as pronouncing R's, dropping T's selectively, maintaining the "yeah" sound, and elongating long vowel sounds. By practicing these aspects and utilizing tools like Veebsy, learners can significantly improve their English pronunciation and achieve a clear and regionally neutral accent. Keep practicing and enjoy the journey to mastering the modern RP English accent!