Daniel Jones, Prescriptivist, R.(I.)P.

Collins, Beverley Mees, Inger M.

English Studies 2001 82 (1)66-73
(ReLIS:jul:juljig:y:2001:v:82:i:1:p:66-73)

Abstract:

With so much talk these days about how Estuary English is going to kill off Received Pronunciation, it might be timely, before the death knell of RP is finally sounded, to examine more closely the recent history of the accent. One figure who is often regarded as having played a decisive role in the evolution of RP is Daniel Jones (1881-1967) – in the view of many, the greatest of British phoneticians (for a description of Jones’s life and career, see Collins & Mees 1999). One commentator, Crowley (1989: 164-74), has claimed that Jones reveals himself to hold prescriptivist and gender-biased views, and to be unduly influenced by considerations of social class. In this article, we shall attempt to demonstrate that these accusations portray Jones in an unfair light. On the contrary, he should be remembered (amongst his many other achievements) for being a pioneer in advocating a surprisingly modern, objective approach to pronunciation description at a time when such views would have been regarded as dangerously libertarian.

Keywords: Fonética ; Inglés ; Pronunciación
Pages: 66-73
Volume: 82
Year: 2001
Issue: 1

 (go top)