Received Pronunciation (RP) and Intonation

Received Pronunciation (RP)

            RP is the abbreviation for the Received Pronunciation. This term means it is the widely understood pronunciation. It is the speech of South-East England.

            It is taught in Public school in London. It is also spoken in Oxford and Cambridge Universities. It is also heard in BBC Broadcasts. It is accepted and understood in other parts of England and also in many other parts the English – speaking world. It carries prestige and respect. Once it was called PSP – Public School Pronunciation. Now it is called RP.

            English is propagated by English Pronouncing Dictionary, Advanced Learners Dictionary of Current English and BBC English Pronouncing Dictionary.

            Jones, Grimson, O’Conner, Arnold, Abercrumble, Lewis etc only a few celebrated names in the field.

            RP can be equated with BBC English or Queen’s English or King’s English or Standard English.

            RP is now slowly on the way out.

                                                                          Intonation

Definition:

            When we speak, we raise our voice or lower our voice. To raise our voice, we use a high pitch. To lower our voice, we use a low pitch.

            This modulation or variation of voice (the rise or fall in the pitch of our voice) is called Intonation.

Types:

            There are two basic types:

i)                    The Rising tone (Rising intonation).

ii)                  The Falling intonation (Falling intonation).

When the pitch of voice rises on the most important syllable, it is called Rising Intonation. When the pitch of voice falls on the most important syllable, it is called the Falling Intonation.

Mode of indication:

        The falling intonation is indicated by the downward arrow:

         The rising intonation is indicated by the upward arrow: 

Falling intonation:

            Falling intonation is used in Statements, Wh-Questions, Imperatives, and Exclamations.

I    Statements: (complete, colourless, definite, factual, unemotional statements.)

a.       Delhi is the capital of       India.

b.      I go for a walk       daily.

c.       The Thirukural in a famous        book

II. Questions (wh-questions)

a.       What’s the      time?

b.      What’s my      pen?

c.       What do you       want?

III. Imperatives (Authoritative commands)

a.  Sit      down.

b. Shut the       door.

c. Come        quickly.

IV. Exclamations:

a. How       nice!

b.   How well she       sings!

c.    What a beautiful        girl!

V. expressing thanks, response to thanks

a.        Thanks

b. Thank you very        much.

c. That’s very         kind of you.

Rising intonation

Rising intonation is used in the following.

I.                   Statements used as questions:

a.       You         like it?

b.      You came this       morning?

c.       You are staying in the        hostel?

II.                Questions (yes / no questions)

a)      Are you     angry with me?

b)      Have you done      the work?

c)      Can you answer the      question?

III.             Imperatives:

a.       Please, sit         down.

b.      Could you, please shut        the door.

c.       May i come        in.

IV.             Greetings and wises ( at the time of meeting)

a.       Good        morning.

b.              Hello

c.       Happy          Pongal.

Mixed Patterns:

I.                   Fall - Rise:

Contrast in the sentence: (the contrasted with an RI. and the other with a FI).

a.       I want to buy a         television, not a          radio.

b.      My brother is a        doctor, not an        engineer.

c.       I met him on      Friday, not on         Monday.

II.                Rise fall: i)  (Enumeration or things spoken in succession with an RI followed by a FI)

a.       One     , two      ,  three   and     four.

b.      The shop sells       pens        pencils   and       papers

ii)             Subordinate clause with a RI and the main clause with the FI.

If you      work hard, you’ll         pass.