This term paper aims to carve out the differences and similarities between the pronunciation of Received Pronunciation and General American by surveying Svartvik and Leech's quote: „...if we study the main standardized varieties of American English (AmE) and British English (BrE), we come to the conclusion that in pronunciation they are clearly different, but generally mutually intelligible“. (Svartvik & Leech, 2006:157).
A close analysis will reveal to which extent one can agree with their statement.
Firstly, general information about the two accents will be presented. Secondly, a comparison of RP and GA with regard to rhoticity, consonants, vowels, word stress and intonation examines phonological similarities and differences of both accents. A final conclusion sums up the findings with reference to the quote.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The reference accents
2.1 Received Pronunciation
2.2 General American
3. Comparison
3.1 Rhoticity
3.2 Consonants
3.3 Vowels
3.4 Word stress
3.5 Intonation
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the phonological differences and similarities between Received Pronunciation (RP) and General American (GA) to evaluate the claim that these major standard varieties of English are mutually intelligible despite their clear pronunciation distinctions.
- Analysis of the historical and social status of RP and GA.
- Examination of rhoticity as a fundamental phonological divider.
- Comparison of consonant distribution, allophonic realizations, and vowel systems.
- Investigation of differences in word stress patterns and intonation contours.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Rhoticity
One of the most prominent difference between English and American speakers is the phonotactic distribution of the consonant /r/. Thus, 'rhoticity' is an important aspect when comparing the two accents. An accent is rhotic when /r/ is pronounced in all instances. In contrast, an accent is non-rhotic when /r/ is only pronounced before and between vowels. As an example, the word „card“ is pronounced as [kard] in a rhotic accent, but as [ka:d] in a non rhotic accent. RP is a non-rhotic accent because it phonetically realizes /r/ only before vowels, not at the end of words and also not between vowels and consonants, whereas GA is a rhotic accent because /r/ is pronounced in all positions. (cf. Kortmann, 2005:261)
Chapter Summary
1. Introduction: Outlines the significance of English as a global language and introduces the objective of comparing the phonology of RP and GA.
2. The reference accents: Provides background information on the origins, social status, and usage of Received Pronunciation and General American.
3. Comparison: Explores specific phonological differences including rhoticity, consonants, vowels, word stress, and intonation.
4. Conclusion: Synthesizes the findings and confirms that while distinct, the two accents remain mutually intelligible.
5. Bibliography: Lists the academic sources and internet references used for the analysis.
Keywords
Received Pronunciation, General American, Rhoticity, Phonology, Consonants, Vowels, Word stress, Intonation, Linguistics, English variety, Mutual intelligibility, Phonetic transcription, Lexical sets, Language variation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on identifying and comparing the phonological differences and similarities between two standard accents of English: Received Pronunciation and General American.
What are the central thematic fields covered?
The central fields include phonology, specifically rhoticity, consonant and vowel realization, word stress patterns, and intonation usage.
What is the main research question or goal?
The goal is to determine to what extent the statement by Svartvik and Leech—that these two varieties are clearly different in pronunciation yet mutually intelligible—can be validated.
Which scientific methods were applied?
The author conducts a comparative linguistic analysis, surveying established academic literature and phonological frameworks to evaluate the pronunciation characteristics of both accents.
What topics are discussed in the main section?
The main section covers the defining features of RP and GA, followed by a comparative study of their phonotactic distribution of /r/, consonant clusters, vowel systems using lexical sets, stress placement, and sentence intonation.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Received Pronunciation, General American, Rhoticity, Phonology, Vowels, Word Stress, and Intonation.
How is rhoticity defined in this context?
Rhoticity refers to the pronunciation of the consonant /r/ in all positions within a word, which differentiates GA (rhotic) from RP (non-rhotic).
What role do "lexical sets" play in the analysis?
Lexical sets are used to classify groups of words with a congruent component to systematically compare the incidence of vowels between the two accents.
Why is there a difference in word stress for French loanwords?
The paper notes that GA speakers tend to retain the stress on the final syllable of certain French loanwords, reflecting different historical influences compared to RP.
What is the "high rise terminal" in intonation?
It is an intonation pattern where declarative sentences are spoken with a rising-pitch, frequently observed in informal American English and among younger speakers.
- Citation du texte
- Funda Sengül (Auteur), 2015, Accent Variation. Received Versus General American Pronunciation, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/309788
