The 'Henry Higgins' iPhone app that teaches the Queen's English on the go

By Daily Mail Reporter

Learn on the go: Alison Pitman shows off the iPhone app that can teach the Queen's English

A British speech expert has developed an iPhone application which trains users how to speak Queen's English.

The application instructs users to mimic 15 different vowel sounds and 16 consonant sounds to replicate received pronunciation.

Users download the training exercises and then play it through their mobile phone before undertaking a series of tasks aimed at reproducing the Queen's English.

The exercises are similar to those Professor Henry Higgins set for Eliza Doolittle, played by Audrey Hepburn, in the rags to riches film My Fair Lady.

The £2.99 application, called 'British Accent' has been recorded by voiceover expert Alison Pitman, who has appeared on dozens of videos, training films and adverts.

She has produced several voice training videos and features on mobile answerphone messages and automated text messages.

Now the mum-of-one from Stapleton, Bristol, hopes the application will be downloaded by customers around the world hoping to replicate her clipped English accent.

'I have found that there is a lot of demand for what I do in India,' she said. 'I guess there are a lot of companies out there who run call centres and they want their staff to speak in English accents.

'I also get a lot of work in America. There is something about the English accent that people like and I guess it is because of all the connotations to do with class, history and heritage.

'People hear the English accent and it conjures up images of sophistication and elegance.'


In Hertford, Hereford and Hampshire... Audrey Hepburn's character Eliza Doolittle attempts to change her accent in My Fair Lady


The app has been developed in conjunction with business partner Zepho Inc, which are experts in computer software.

Mrs Pitman, who runs her business Voiceover Services from a studio at her home, says users should start notice the difference in every day speech.

Zepho Inc spokesman Bala Paranj said: 'We believe that the success of this App will be down to three things: Simplicity, Usefulness and Value.

'You can repeat the lessons as many times as you like by using the controls for the playback.

'You can pause and practice your accent at any time and the audio meter shows you the intonation so that you can pronounce it properly.'

For more information on the 'British Accent' iPhone App click here



source: dailymail