A. Language, the source of all communication problems
Listen to the following radio program about the art of miscommunication and note any new words or phrases that are new to you.
Audio: http://http-ws.bbc.co.uk.edgesuite.net/mp3/learningenglish/2013/12/bbc_6min_business_misunderstandings_140117_6min_business_misunderstandings_audio_au_bb.mp3
Here is a transcript of the program that we can review together if there portions of the program that were to difficult to understand
http://wsdownload.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/pdf/2013/12/131205112214_bbc_6min_business_misunderstandings.pdf
B. How to express lack of understanding
When you fail to understand what has been said to you you can use these expressions:
- I beg your pardon?
- I beg your pardon, but I don't quite understand.
- I'm not quite sure I know what you mean.
- I'm not quite sure I follow you.
- I don't quite see what you mean.
- I'm not sure I got your point.
- Sorry, I didn't quite hear what you said.
- Sorry, I didn't get your point.
- I don't quite see what you're getting at.
How yo ask for clarification
When you don't understand what someone has said, you can ask for clarification using the following expressions:
- What do you mean by...?
- Do you mean...?
- Could you say that again, please?
- Could you repeat please?
- Could you clarify that, please?
- Would you elaborate on that , please?
- Could you be more explicit?
- Could you explain what you mean by...?
- Could you give us an example?
- I wonder if you could say that in a different way.
- Could you put it differently, please?
- Could you be more specific, please?
Clarifying one's point or idea
To clarify your idea you can use the following expressions:
- Let me explain that...
- Let me explain that in more detail...
- Let me put it in another way...
- Sorry, let me explain...
- In other words...
- To say this differently...
- To put it differently...
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire