Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[Blossom]

Yesterday, a foreigner came to my office. The reception miss looked around, many people are playing games. She began to speak with the foreigner.

Reception：�hello.�

Foreigner：�hi.�

Reception：�you have what thing？�

Foreigner：�can you speak english？�

Reception：�if i not speak english, i am speaking what？�

Foreigner：�can anybody else here speak english？�

Reception：�you yourself look. all people are playing, no people have time, you can wait, you wait, you not wait, you go！�

Foreigner：�good heavens. is there nobody here can speak english？�

Reception：：�shout what shout, quiet a little, you on earth have what thing？�

Foreigner：�i want to speak to your head.�

Reception：�my head speaks english. not foot. you stupid. you tomorrow come！�

[bud]

Blossom, are you criticizing the receptionist or the foreigner? Although the receptionist's English needs more work, I think she did a great job standing up to such a rude person. Except for her next to last line, everything she said, while not perfect, was very easy to understand. In my opinion, her first goal - being able to converse - is accomplished.

[Blossom]

Thank you your reply, Bud. You are a good humorless teacher. I do not criticising anyone. I promise.

[bud]

Er... uh... thank you?

[missdaredevil]

I'm a speaker of the Chinese language.
The conversation between the receptionist and the foreigner is a typical example of cultural misunderstanding and a lack of communication.

The receptionist spoke a very *literal Chinglish*. Very word-for-word.

Why was Bud a humorless teacher? The conversation itself wasn't a joke and not meant to be taken seriously, unless it involves a person close to you or to someone who understands the Chinese language.

[Joylu]

I have read this dialogue before. Though it sounds a bit funny to us Chinese, who understand the cultural difference between Chinese and Americans, I still feel sorry for the receptionist who speaks poor English.Can Americans catch the humor in it if there is any? Certainly not.
_________________
My motto is enjoy life in my own way.

[toe]

it was humorous to me--

do you speak english?
i want to speak to your head

lol
things have two meanings no matter what the language, eh?

toe

[bud]

Actually, I thought it was very funny. I presumed wrongly that Blossom was criticizing one or the other. Why? Well, so typical of is often a phrase used when criticizing something. It doesn't always signal something negative, but it often does. My mistake!