THE EVOLUTION OF BRITISH RECEIVED PRONUNCIATION AND ITS PERCEPTION IN MODERN SOCIETY

Abstract

The evolution of Received Pronunciation (RP) is examined in this paper, along with how it has evolved in British society and what function it currently serves. As societal views evolve toward tolerance and linguistic diversity, RP—traditionally linked to prestige and authority—has suffered a drop in adoption. Although RP is still utilized in professional settings, it currently coexists with accents such as Multicultural London English and Estuary English. The sociolinguistic elements influencing these shifts and their consequences for language and identity in contemporary Britain are highlighted in the paper.