Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Understanding Dscourse
Understanding Dscourse
Objectives:
Recognizing and rectifying errors and mistakes in oral production Speaking with correct pronunciation Initiating and managing discussions Following principles of interaction in social and professional settings e.g.: turn-taking, interrupting, suggesting, agreeing/disagreeing, conforming, giving opinions, summarizing
I go to bed at 11 oclock (can you translate it as: saya pergi ke katil pada pukul 11 malam? In the business world of Malaysia, you will find people asking for a chop. Foreign business people would be totally bewildered hearing this, and would wonder what on earth these people
are talking about. They are referring to a stamp. The reason that chop is used to mean stamp in Malaysia is that it is a corrupted version of the Hindi word (chhaap), which means seal or stamp.
The word chop in English has the following meanings (from Wiktionary): to chop (verb)
cutting motions. chop wood chop an onion (transitive) To sever with an axe or similar implement. Chop off his head. chop (noun) A cut of meat, often containing a section of a rib. I only like lamb chops with mint jelly. A blow with an axe, cleaver, or similar utensil. It should take just one good chop to fell the sapling.
5
Malaysians. Ive even seen a sign in a bank with this mistake. Ill provide the definitions of each of these terms (from Wiktionary): Fill in (transitive) to complete a form or questionnaire with requested information. Fill out (transitive) to complete a form or questionnaire with requested information. Fill up- 1. (chiefly of a fuel tank) to make full. 2. to become full
7
To stay or to live?
Live (Malay tinggal, Chinese ) make ones home
in a particular place or with a particular person. Example: I live in Kuala Lumpur or I live with my brother. Stay (Malay duduk, Chinese ) live somewhere temporarily as a visitor or guest. Example: Im staying at the J.W. Marriot Hotel.
Turn taking
take turn to speak. Here are some strategies you can use: strategy 1: be alert and focus on the discussion
10
finally, lastly, thats about all, thats what I want to say, in conclusion, etc At this point, the speaker is likely ending his sentence, thus you may join the conversation. For example, you may use the following expressions: May I add on to the point? May I say something? Excuse me, I have something to say.
11
they keep quiet you could ask questions such as: Would you like to say anything? Would you like to begin now? What is your opinion on this? What do you think about.?
12
doesnt allow others a chance to talk. You could use the following expressions: I know you have many good ideas, but could we listen to.. Excuse me, could we listen to Excuse me, I believe it is .. turn now.
13
Some examples of informal expressions by non-native English speakers and corresponding formal expressions.
Informal / non-standard What did you say ha?? What? What? (asking for repetition) Wait! Wait! / Wait ha? Formal Im sorry I dont quite catch what you said. Could you repeat that please? I wonder if you would mind waiting please? / Could you wait please? / Ill be with you shortly.
14