The Evolution of RP Vowels: From Gimson's Symbols to Modern Pronunciation

TLDRThis video explores the history and evolution of Received Pronunciation (RP) vowels, from A.C. Gimson's symbols to modern pronunciation. Gimson's symbols accurately depicted the speech of the educated classes in the 1960s, but today they are considered old-fashioned. This video discusses why and how RP vowels have changed over time.

Key insights

🎙️Gimson's symbols accurately represented the RP vowels of the 1960s.

🔀Modern pronunciation has diverged from Gimson's symbols, with RP vowels now sounding different.

💼The RP accent depicted by Gimson's symbols is no longer in fashion and is associated with a specific era.

📺The RP accent depicted by Gimson's symbols is rarely used in modern media, except for period dramas.

🌍Regional accents and evolving societal norms have influenced the shift away from RP vowels.

Q&A

Why aren't Gimson's symbols used anymore?

Gimson's symbols accurately represented RP vowels in the 1960s, but the accent they depict fell out of fashion quickly. Today, they are considered old-fashioned and are rarely used in modern contexts.

How have RP vowels changed over time?

RP vowels have diverged from Gimson's symbols, with modern pronunciation featuring different vowel sounds. Factors such as regional accents and evolving societal norms have influenced these changes.

Is the RP accent still popular today?

The RP accent depicted by Gimson's symbols is no longer widely used or considered fashionable. It is rarely heard in modern media, except for period dramas or specific character portrayals.

Why did RP vowels go out of fashion?

RP vowels fell out of fashion due to changing societal norms and preferences. The accent depicted by Gimson's symbols became associated with a specific era and is no longer considered representative of modern spoken English.

What influenced the shift away from RP vowels?

Several factors influenced the shift away from RP vowels, including the rise of regional accents, changing speech patterns, and a desire for more diverse and inclusive representations of English accents.

Timestamped Summary

00:00The video explores the history and evolution of Received Pronunciation (RP) vowels.

10:44Gimson's symbols accurately depicted the RP vowels of the 1960s.

18:39Modern pronunciation has diverged from Gimson's symbols, with RP vowels now sounding different.

21:40The RP accent depicted by Gimson's symbols is no longer in fashion and is associated with a specific era.

23:45The RP accent depicted by Gimson's symbols is rarely used in modern media, except for period dramas.

26:59Regional accents and evolving societal norms have influenced the shift away from RP vowels.