Received Pronunciation

Many British people speak standard English, but with the typical accent of their part of the country. Other British people, however, combine standard English with a non-regional standard pronunciation. This (the so-called ‘received pronunciation’ or ‘RP’) is the pronunciation that has traditionally been used by a majority of British upper- and upper-middle-class people, though it has changed buy neurontin cod a good deal over the years. For a long time RP was considered more ‘correct’ than other accents, and its social dominance was reinforced by education and the media. This attitude is now changing, and there is less social prejudice in Britain than before against regional accents.

Other standard forms of English

Standard British English is not, of course, the only standard form of English. American English also is a standard variety. In additions, there are accents from Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, etc.

What kind of English should you study?

For most learners, the best model is one or other of the two main standard varieties: British or American English. Neither of these is ‘better’ than the other, and they are both used and understood worldwide. The differences are generally unimportant and should not be a source of concern for English learners.