Politeness and American Conversational English Page 2

EFL Japan
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EFL Listening and Speaking
Politeness and American Conversational Usage

Function: Requesting

Stimu-Con Usage Games: It's Not Only WHAT You Say But HOW You Say It!
Game

Conversational Focus
Johnny is asking Linda to telephone him this evening. She agrees to do so ...

Communication Function
CharacterA / CharacterB
Asking someone to call / Agreeing

Suggestion Key
Character A / Character B

1. Call me this evening. / Of course.
2. Can you call me (this evening)? / Fine.
3. Give me a ring (this evening)? / Uh-huh.
4. Give me a buzz (this evening). / Sure.
5. How about giving me a call (this evening)? / Great.
6. (If you can,) give me a call (this evening). / O.K. I'll call you this evening.

What would you say?

Stimu-Con Usage Games: It's Not Only WHAT You Say But HOW You Say It!
Game

Conversational Focus
Akiko cannot understand Linda since she is speaking too fast for her ...

Communication Function
CharacterA / CharacterB
Requesting someone to slow down / Responding positively

Suggestion Key
Character A / Character B

1. You're speaking (a little) too fast (for me). / Sorry, I'll slow down.
2. (Please) speak (a little) more slowly ... / Okay, no problem.
3. Please speak (a little) slower ... / Sure, let me start over ...
4. Can you speak a little slower? / Of course ...
5. Could you speak a little slower? / Okay ...
6. Would you mind speaking (a little) slower, please? / Not at all.
7. I can't understand what you're saying ... please slow down. / Oh, I'm sorry, I was saying ...

What would you say?

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