<b>Forum for the discussion of Applied Linguistics </b>
Moderators: Dimitris, maneki neko2, Lorikeet, Enrico Palazzo, superpeach, cecil2, Mr. Kalgukshi2
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fluffyhamster
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- Location: UK > China > Japan > UK again
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by fluffyhamster » Tue Dec 19, 2006 6:03 am
What factors account for the prosody indicated?
A: Take a look at this. It's a solar car.
B: A solar car?
A: That's right. It uses solar energy.
B: Is it fast?
A: Yes, very fast.
B: Whose car IS it?
A: It's mine, of course. It's a present from my uncle.
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metal56
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by metal56 » Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:01 am
Isn't it "Who would have such a fantastic/ridiculous car as this/that?". Or "who do we know who has a car such as that?", etc.
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metal56
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by metal56 » Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:42 am
The questioner could still have a negative view of the vehicle.
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Anuradha Chepur
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by Anuradha Chepur » Tue Dec 19, 2006 7:51 am
"What a fantastic car!!" (Never mind whose it is)
Is what is intended, probably.
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metal56
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by metal56 » Tue Dec 19, 2006 8:43 am
Anuradha Chepur wrote:"What a fantastic car!!" (Never mind whose it is)
Is what is intended, probably.
Or it's a rhetorical question meaning "I suppose it's your car, as you are spoiled/spoilt rotten and always getting such presents."
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fluffyhamster
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by fluffyhamster » Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:20 am
Thanks for the answers.
Yes, AC, the person asking doubtless thinks the car is fab - after all, the extract is from a jolly old junior high school textbook in Japan.
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metal56
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by metal56 » Wed Dec 20, 2006 7:00 am
<Yes, AC, the person asking doubtless thinks the car is fab>
"Doubtless"? Are you sure?
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fluffyhamster
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by fluffyhamster » Wed Dec 20, 2006 7:53 am
Yes, public indeed (as in 'lav'); I didn't mean that I own it, but that some might think it yet another questionable thread begun by yours truly (which it probably is).

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metal56
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by metal56 » Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:28 am
<I didn't mean that I own it, but that some might think it yet another questionable thread begun by yours truly >
Err...
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fluffyhamster
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by fluffyhamster » Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:36 am
Oh, is that your wife calling you, metal? (
Quick, guys, what else can I say to distract him from continuing typing?)

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metal56
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by metal56 » Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:41 am
fluffyhamster wrote:Oh, is that your wife calling you, metal? (
Quick, guys, what else can I say to distract him from continuing typing?)

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