What are the origins of Received Pronunciation? How has it evolved?

Hello: I have read something about private schools in England and the upper class, but actually the information I have found is very poor.

Can someone explain the origins of this accent? How has it evolved in time? I heard only about 3% of native speakers use RP for daily life nowadays.

Thanks.

Received Pronunciation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hello, Manuel:

I thought that you would like to know something that I have read.

As you know, Elizabeth II became the queen in the 1950's. I have read that during the last 60 years, her

accent has been changing. That is, she has been pronouncing some words in a more "popular" manner.

You may wish to research this matter on the Web.


Sincerely yours,


James

P.S. I have also read that -- at least, in the past -- police officers in England treated people with a "posh" accent

with more respect. As soon as a person started to speak, an officer would have an idea of the person's social

class.