Communicating Cross Culturally, Describing Character Spoken English IV Fujian Normal University

Opinion: West vs East

Tools for Clarification Ask for feedback - ask the other person to tell you whether they understand Check by Saying Something Another Way Give Feedback - show the other person whether you understand Check by Repeating - repeat part of what the other person said using a “question voice” or rising tone

Tools for Clarification Ask for feedback - ask the other person to tell you whether they understand Okay? You know? (You) got that? Do you understand? (Do) you know what I mean? Any questions? Check by Saying Something Another Way (So) you mean...? Do you mean...? In other words,...?

Tools for Clarification Give Feedback - show the other person whether you understand Understand  Okay.  All right.  Uh-huh.  Um-hmm.  (I) got it.  I understand. Don’t Understand  Hmm?  I’m confused.  I don’t understand.  I’m not sure what you mean by _____.  I’m not sure I understand what you said about _____.  I understand this, but could you explain the (other/next/first/last) thing you said?

Tools for Clarification Check by Repeating - repeat part of what the other person said using a “question voice” or rising tone  Repeat the word (s) you thought you heard  Repeat the word(s) that came before the word you didn’t understand  Repeat the word(s) that came before the word you didn’t understand, together with a question word (like “who”, “what”, “where”, “when”, “why” or “how”)

Exercise  Explain to your partner how to do something using English. For example: Play a sport or game Make a dish Make an art piece Buy a train ticket  Partners, try to use clarification tools and give feedback if an instruction is unclear.  Provide comments to show you understand the ideas or words being said.

“I Gave it Away” Jazz Chant Clarification tools

I gave it away. You what? I gave it away. What did you say? I said I gave it away. Gave it away? That’s what I said. I said I gave it away. Why? Because I wanted to. You wanted to? Yes, I wanted to. Why didn’t you sell it? Sell it? Yes, sell it, sell it. Why didn’t you sell it? I didn’t want to. Why not? I didn’t want to. Why not? I didn’t want to. Why didn’t you give it to me? I didn’t want to Why didn’t you give it to him? I didn’t want to. Why didn’t you give it to her? I didn’t want to. Why didn’t you give it to them? I didn’t want to.

Correcting Miscommunication What would you do if a stranger pronounced your name incorrectly?

Sentence Patterns to Correct Politely Sentences begin with:  “uhm…”  “well…”  “Actually…”  “I think….” I think the homework is actually due a week from Thursday. Actually, the homework is due a week from Thursday. I think you may be mistaken. I thought the teacher said it’s due a week from Thursday.

Correct me! Think of a sentence that is untrue. Tell your partner Your partner should correct the sentence using the patterns for correcting politely After 1 minute, swap partners!

Correcting Misunderstandings Talk to the person directly –“I’m sorry. Did I say/do something to upset you?” –“I didn’t mean to upset you” –“I think we may have misunderstood each other” Talk to the person a few days later –“Do you have a few minutes to talk about what happened the other day?” –“Can I talk to you about what happened a few days ago?” –“I think we may have had a misunderstanding. Can we talk about it?

Correcting Misunderstandings Explain the situation to a third person and ask for advice –“Something happened to me the other day that I don’t understand. Could I tell you about it and see if you have some advice?” –“Why do you think he/she said that?” –“What would most Americans/Canadians do in this situation?” –“What would you do in this situation?”

Next Week: Culture Clash Discussion In groups of 4, you will be given a cultural situation card to read Answer the following questions : 1.What did you expect the North American to do? 2.How would you feel in this situation? 3.List possible reasons why the North American would behave this way 4.Decide which reason is the most likely one

Positive friendly polite courteous hospitable considerate respectful kind quiet helpful thoughtful responsible Negative unfriendly impolite discourteous inhospitable inconsiderate disrespectful unkind noisy, loud unhelpful thoughtless irresponsible Describing Character

Homework 1.Describe a conflict you’ve seen before or have been a part of don’t say any names include details of the situation only written submission ( words, 1 paragraph) 2. What is peace? What is the opposite of peace? List words only (no sentences)

Mid term Exam Date: April 26, 2013 Value: 30% of final mark Write a speech about “I am…..” which will be about sentences Each line should begin with “I am…” Use the instructor’s speech “I am” as a guide to preparing your assignment Written part must be submitted Pronunciation, Fluency, Vocabulary, Grammar, Depth, Length will all be part of the assignment grade.