What if English actually SOUNDED like this??

Dr Geoff Lindsey

8 Mar 202422:22

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script delves into the intricacies of Received Pronunciation (RP), a British accent once taught widely in English language education. It discusses the evolution of RP's phonetic symbols, as established by A. C. Gimson in his influential book, contrasting them with Daniel Jones's earlier system. The script provides a detailed exploration of RP's vowel sounds, their IPA symbols, and the subtleties of their pronunciation, including the compression of front vowels and the shift in diphthongs over time. It concludes with a demonstration sentence highlighting the accent's distinctiveness and a reflection on its rapid decline in modern usage.

Takeaways

📚 The script discusses the pronunciation of English, specifically focusing on Received Pronunciation (RP) and its representation through the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).
🗣️ A. C. Gimson's influential 1962 book 'An Introduction to the Pronunciation of English' is highlighted for its role in standardizing the IPA symbols for RP vowels.
📘 Gimson's work was a replacement for Daniel Jones’s earlier work, indicating a shift in the representation of RP vowels in phonetic literature.
🔍 The script emphasizes the difference between phoneme symbols in dictionaries, which prioritize simplicity, and the more accurate IPA symbols used by Gimson.
📏 Gimson aimed for 'explicitness on the phonetic level', choosing symbols that clearly depicted the subtleties of RP pronunciation.
🔠 The script provides a detailed comparison of the IPA symbols used by Gimson and Jones, noting the evolution and simplification of these symbols over time.
👥 The video script includes examples of RP pronunciation from various speakers, including Daniel Jones and the Queen, to illustrate changes and variations.
🎶 The script describes the unique compression of the KIT, DRESS, and TRAP vowels in RP, which makes it challenging for learners to distinguish between them.
📈 The script mentions a shift in the pronunciation of certain RP vowels over time, such as the TRAP vowel moving closer to the DRESS vowel.
🎯 Gimson's system is criticized for not fully reflecting the diphthong nature of certain RP vowels like FLEECE and GOOSE, which are often monophthongs in actual speech.
🎬 The script concludes with a demonstration sentence incorporating all the RP vowels discussed, showcasing the distinctive sound of the accent as it was taught in the mid-20th century.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the video mentioned in the script?
-The purpose of the video is to demonstrate the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols for Received Pronunciation (RP) of British English, explaining why they were chosen and how they represent the sounds of the language.
Who is A. C. Gimson and what is his contribution to the script's subject matter?
-A. C. Gimson was a Professor of Phonetics at University College London and the author of the influential 1962 book 'An Introduction to the Pronunciation of English'. He proposed the set of IPA symbols for RP that are discussed in the script.
What is the significance of Received Pronunciation (RP) in the context of the script?
-Received Pronunciation (RP) is a British accent that was taught widely and is represented by the IPA symbols discussed in the script. It is associated with a small fraction of the population at the top of the social pyramid.
Why does the script mention General American accent and its relation to the IPA symbols?
-The script mentions the General American accent to highlight that there isn't a single transcription system for American English that dominates like the set of IPA symbols for RP in British English teaching.
What is the concept of 'simplicity versus accuracy' in the context of phoneme symbols discussed in the script?
-The concept of 'simplicity versus accuracy' refers to the balance between using simpler symbols that are easier to understand and remember, versus using more complex symbols that represent the sounds of a language more precisely.
What is the significance of the 'vowel quadrilateral' mentioned in the script?
-The vowel quadrilateral is a tool used by Gimson to show subtle differences between the RP vowel sounds and their exact IPA values, providing a visual representation of the vowel sounds.
What is the difference between the symbols used by Daniel Jones and A. C. Gimson for RP vowels?
-Daniel Jones used a simpler set of symbols, often employing the five vowel letters of the normal alphabet for multiple phonemes, while A. C. Gimson opted for more accurate IPA symbols to represent the details of RP pronunciation.
Why does the script mention the word 'schwa' and its role in RP?
-The script mentions 'schwa' to illustrate the variation in the pronunciation of unstressed vowels in RP, noting that in final position, RP speakers could make it more open, similar to the STRUT vowel.
What is the significance of the diphthongs in the script's discussion of RP vowels?
-Diphthongs are significant because they represent the glide from one vowel sound to another within the same syllable. The script discusses the changes in the representation of certain diphthongs, such as FLEECE and GOOSE, which Gimson considered to be monophthongs in his system but are generally diphthongs in actual RP speech.
What is the implication of the script's statement that 'anyone today who wants to cling to Gimson's symbols is showing contempt for his methodology'?
-The implication is that Gimson was committed to accuracy and willing to update symbols to reflect changes in speech. Therefore, adhering strictly to his original symbols without recognizing the evolution of language is contrary to his approach and the spirit of phonetic study.
How does the script suggest the Received Pronunciation has changed since the time of Gimson's book?
-The script suggests that the Received Pronunciation has changed significantly since Gimson's time, to the point where using the original RP vowels today would be considered outdated and potentially inappropriate for certain modern contexts, such as a BBC newsreader role.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to British Vowel Pronunciation

This paragraph introduces the focus of the video: the accurate representation of British Received Pronunciation (RP) vowel sounds using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The speaker explains that while many are familiar with the symbols, few understand the intended sounds, which differ from common modern pronunciations. The video aims to clarify these sounds, referencing A. C. Gimson's influential 1962 book and his approach to phonetics, which emphasized clarity and accuracy over simplicity.

05:03

🔍 Exploring the Evolution of RP Vowel Symbols

The speaker delves into the history of RP vowel symbols, contrasting Gimson's approach with that of his predecessor, Daniel Jones. Gimson sought to use more accurate IPA symbols to depict RP vowels, even if it meant sacrificing simplicity. The paragraph discusses the evolution of symbols for short vowels like KIT, DRESS, and TRAP, noting how they have changed or remained consistent with IPA standards, and how they contribute to the distinctiveness of RP.

10:07

📉 The Shift in Perception of RP Vowels

This section discusses the shift in the perception and use of RP vowels over time. The speaker points out that Gimson's symbols, while accurate for the time, may not reflect current pronunciation trends. It highlights the diphthongs of FLEECE and GOOSE, which Gimson represented with monophthong symbols despite them typically being diphthongs, and the potential for this to be seen as an error in his system.

15:08

🎶 The Journey Through RP's Closing and Central Diphthongs

The speaker continues the exploration of RP vowels, focusing on closing and centring diphthongs. It details the changes in the GOAT and MOUTH diphthongs from the time of Jones to Gimson, and how they have continued to evolve. The paragraph also covers the PRICE, CHOICE, and FACE diphthongs, noting the unique qualities of each and their progression from Gimson's time to the present.

20:14

🎬 The Cultural and Practical Relevance of RP

In the final paragraph, the speaker reflects on the cultural significance and practical application of RP, particularly in media and the arts. It suggests that adherence to Gimson's symbols today would be seen as outdated and potentially detrimental to one's career in broadcasting or acting. The speaker also hints at a forthcoming video that will explore the rapid decline in the popularity of the RP accent following Gimson's publication.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is a standardized system of phonetic notation used by linguists to transcribe the sounds of spoken languages in a precise and universally understood way. In the video, the IPA is central to the discussion as it provides the symbols and system used to describe the pronunciation of English vowels, especially in Received Pronunciation (RP).

💡Received Pronunciation (RP)

Received Pronunciation, often abbreviated as RP, is a standard accent of British English that is traditionally associated with the educated classes and used as a model for teaching English as a foreign language. The video focuses on the RP accent and how the IPA symbols were used to represent its specific vowel sounds.

💡Phonetics

Phonetics is the study of the sounds of human speech, including how they are produced, transmitted, and perceived. The video script discusses phonetics in the context of the pronunciation of English vowels, highlighting the work of phoneticians like A. C. Gimson and Daniel Jones in developing a system to transcribe RP vowels.

💡Vowel Quadrilateral

A vowel quadrilateral is a diagram used in phonetics to represent the four cardinal vowel positions: close, open, front, and back. In the video, Gimson's use of a vowel quadrilateral for each vowel is mentioned to show the subtle differences between the RP vowel sounds and their exact IPA values.

💡Phoneme

A phoneme is the smallest unit of sound in a language that can distinguish one word from another. The script discusses phoneme symbols, which are used in dictionaries and do not necessarily need to be highly accurate, as long as they do not cause confusion with other sounds in the language.

💡Diphthong

A diphthong is a complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel quality and glides into another within the same syllable. The video describes how Gimson's system represented the diphthongs in RP, noting that some were traditionally transcribed as monophthongs but are more accurately depicted as diphthongs.

💡Monophthong

A monophthong is a pure vowel sound that does not change quality within a syllable. The script mentions Gimson's decision to use certain IPA symbols for RP vowels that are typically monophthongal, despite evidence suggesting they might be better represented as diphthongs.

💡Vowel Shift

The Great Vowel Shift refers to a historical series of changes in the pronunciation of the English language that affected the long vowels. The video script implies that the current pronunciation of certain RP vowels can be traced back to this historical shift.

💡Accent

An accent is a distinctive way of pronouncing a language peculiar to a particular region or social group. The video discusses the RP accent and how its specific vowel sounds were transcribed using the IPA, noting that the accent has become less common and more associated with historical or formal contexts.

💡Sociolinguistics

Sociolinguistics is the study of the relationship between language and society, including how language varies according to social factors. The script touches on sociolinguistic aspects by discussing how the RP accent is associated with a certain social class and has changed over time in terms of its prestige and usage.

💡BBC English

BBC English refers to the standard of pronunciation used by the British Broadcasting Corporation, often associated with Received Pronunciation. The video mentions how the accent depicted by the IPA symbols was once the standard for BBC newsreaders but has since become outdated.

Highlights

The video discusses the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) symbols for Received Pronunciation (RP) and their origins.

A. C. Gimson's influential 1962 book introduced the most widely used set of IPA symbols for RP.

Gimson was a Professor of Phonetics at University College London and known for his approachability.

Gimson's book focused on the British accent, specifically Received Pronunciation, used by a small, socially elite population.

The IPA symbols were chosen for their accuracy in representing the sounds of RP, rather than simplicity.

Gimson's symbols aimed to be 'explicit on the phonetic level', showing detailed RP pronunciation.

The video provides a comparison between Gimson's and Daniel Jones's earlier symbols for RP vowels.

Gimson's approach to vowel representation differed in the level of detail and accuracy.

The video demonstrates the sounds of the IPA symbols through examples from RP speakers.

The compression of KIT, DRESS, and TRAP vowels in RP makes it challenging for learners to distinguish them.

Gimson's system includes a vowel quadrilateral to show subtle differences between RP and IPA values.

The video builds a demonstration sentence containing each of the 20 RP vowels.

Gimson's choice of symbols for FLEECE and GOOSE vowels is considered a mistake as they are typically diphthongs.

The video explains the evolution of RP vowel sounds and the changes in their IPA symbols over time.

Gimson's symbols were intended to depict an accent that quickly fell out of fashion post-publication.

The video concludes with a discussion on the practical applications and the changing relevance of Gimson's RP accent symbols.

The presenter's own book 'English After RP' attempts to emulate Gimson's methodology in a modern context.

Transcripts

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Related Tags

Received Pronunciation Phonetics Accent Evolution British English Vowel Sounds Pronunciation Guide Language Teaching IPA Symbols Phonetician Insights Historical Linguistics