Hello everyone.
It’s nice to know that you enjoy my podcasts, thankyou for your feedback. Please feel free to leave comments on the podcast site or my blog.
Today, I’m going to make a slightly longer podcast – actually, this time – more of a “chatcast” as I see it.
Talking with you as I would talk with friends and family. Basically I’m talking about “everyday” conversational English. What I am talking about is language people use when they are chatting to family and friends and also to people we meet in the street, or on a train or on holiday perhaps.
Firstly I have to say that I am talking about a style of speaking with English as it is spoken in England. As we all know, English is a very widespread language –and many people around the world can speak my language. I can only talk about things that I know and my own experience. Although I have not travelled a great deal, over the years, my family and I have welcomed people from other countries to stay with us, either through the twin town or language exchanges, or from friends we have met from holidays or correspondence. When people visit us, we always try to speak in a conversational way – that is, quite informal.
When people learn English in classes, often they are learning a formal-style of English. Of course, this is very good in enabling people to learn to make hotel reservations, or to buy things in shops, ask directions etc, but it isn’t so useful if you stay with a family and want to chat about things in an informal way and just enjoy the opportunity to talk in another language.
For an informal chat though, it should always be a less stressful exercise and more enjoyable for you as there are some differences from speaking in this style.
It gives you the chance to learn more about how people live, their likes and dislikes
It gives you an opportunity to make mistakes without worrying and if you do make mistakes, find some alternative words and phrases that can move the conversation along.
Allows you to get to know people better and make friends
Gives you a better chance to get to know some slang words or local sayings
Gives you a chance to share jokes and different expressions
Helps you to think more in the language e.g. form and reform sentences before you say them as a casual listener.
There are drawbacks:
Sometimes native speakers forget you are a learner and speak faster or use words and expressions that you are unfamiliar with
If you are speaking with a group of native speakers for instance at a table eating a meal – they will speak normally with each other and you can feel a bit alone – a bit left out if you don’t understand everything
Here is an example of formal English and informal equivalent:
Scene, in a restaurant
Waiter: Good morning Sir. Can I help you? What could I get you please? Would you like the menu and would you care to start with some drinks?
You: Oh, Good morning. I would like to have some time to decide. Yes, I would like the menu please and firstly please bring me a glass of wine and then I can look at the menu.
Waiter: Of course Sir, here is the menu and I will bring you a wine.
Typical scene, at home with a friend
Friend: So, what would you like to eat? Maybe, I think, you’d like to try some typically English food such as fish and chips? We could either make them at here home or go to a fish and chip shop and buy some – what d’you think?
You know, I really like fish and chips and I’m sure you’d like them. Did you know that we put vinegar on them? It really makes them taste better I think. Maybe you’d like it? If you don’t like it – it’s ok - just try some salt or mayonnaise.
You: Oh, yes, I think I’d like to try fish and chips – I have never eaten them before.
Friend: Well, I’d try them if I were you – because now you’re here in England, you know, they are one of the most well-known meals in England and you can find fish and chip shops in nearly every town and village in Britain.
You: Really? So they are very popular then?
Friend: Yes, really popular – although I find that some shops sell fish and chips which taste better that others.
You: I’d love to try them – thanks for the suggestion.
I am trying to show that, with the conversation with a friend, there is more language used to discuss something like chosing a meal. Also, more information is usually discussed: what to try, whether to buy or make them at home, maybe try some vinegar, some information about how popular fish and chips are and some information about how many fish and chip shops there are.
So the informal conversation would often involve more information being given without asking for it, and also mean you will need to listen more carefully:
In an informal situation or a friendly conversation:
I’d is often used instead of I would
I’ll is often used instead of I will
Words are added like “you know”, “I think” “maybe” “it’s ok” “well” “so”
More questions are asked to get information back from you to “what about?” “would you like?” “how about?”
So, you need to listen more, and allow the conversation to develop. You don’t need to say much more than in the formal situation if you choose not to.
I’ll use some informal language now to tell you something about England.
” well, what can I say about England? It’s a nice place to visit, with many interesting places I think. You know, we do talk a lot about the weather in England. People say it rains a lot here – but I think it is often cloudy.
It’s always nice travelling around England to different places. I like the Lake District – so many lovely hills and mountains – wonderful scenery – it’s particularly nice in Autumn.
You know, it’s a while since I went there, maybe a few years now. Perhaps we should have a trip there?
Maybe soon, what do you think?”
More formally would be:
” What can I say about England? It is a nice place to visit, with many interesting places. We do talk a lot about the weather in England. People say that it rains a lot here – but I think that it is often cloudy weather that gives this impression.
It is always good to travel around England to visit different places. I very much like the Lake District – with its many lovely hills and mountains. It has such wonderful scenery and it is particularly nice to see it in the Autumn.
It has been a while since I went there. I believe it is a few years ago. Perhaps we should have an excursion to the Lake District?
Perhaps soon, what do you think?”
I hope you can hear and read the differences in style that shows the first example as more “conversational” to the second example. Both use slightly different word choices and language “style” However they are both discussing the same thing.
Take care and see you next time
