English as a second language (55)

15 Name: Albright!LC/IWhc3yc : 2006-03-11 18:48 ID:Ba4Km0RZ

In one of the lessons in the lower-level textbooks I teach out of (I think the lowest level, not sure), there is a dialogue that begins with one of the characters asking:

"Would you like tea or coffee?"

Looks like a rather innocent question, right? But the problem arises that, with no context before this line, we can't be sure how this sentence is to be read aloud, because it could have two meanings in English depending on connotation.

Try it. If it is said with a short pause after "tea" and falling intonation on "coffee," we know that the answerer is thirsty, and are giving them a choice between two drinks. That is, the answers are "Tea, please." or "Coffee, please."

But if it's said with no pause and rising intonation on "coffee," we don't know that the answerer is thirsty, but are outlining their selection in case they are. That is, with this intonation, it becomes a yes/no question. The answers are "No, thank you," "Yes, tea please" or "Yes, coffee please."

Also, occasionally the head office will send out memos about the current student "resign" rates. What they mean are students who are signing up again for classes ("RE-sain"), not those who are quitting ("re-ZIAN").

I've come across plenty more on the job, but those are two off the top of my head.

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