Friday 18 September 2009



ELLIPSIS
Dialogue 1: A: What´s your name?
B: My name is John
Dialogue 2: A: What´s your name?
B: John
Which one sounds more natural to you? Dialogue 1 or dialogue 2? Of course dialogue 2 sounds more friendly, conversational and simply more natural. That´s not to say that dialogue 1 isn´t correct or even possible. (And that´s the way many students still learn.) But the linguistic phenomenon represented in dialogue 2, the omission - or ellipsis - of unnecessary information is one of the areas which are key to spoken fluency.
Match the dialogues:
1 - You´re Brazilian, right?
2 - I wasn´t hurt because
I was wearing my helmet.
3 - How do you like this table?
I made it myself
4 - Oh, I have an idea! We can get there faster
if we take the tunnel.
5 - Yes, I know what you mean. The Internet
is a source of stress sometimes, but
it also helps a lot of people.
a - Good thing.
b - Good job.
c- Good thinking.
d - Good point.
e - Good guess.
Adapted from Como dizer tudo em inglês - Avançado by Ron Martinez

11 comments:

  1. Dear Danuza,
    I was wondering why instead of teaching students both forms, we keep teaching them the first and sometimes ignore the ellipsis that sounds more natural? Of course, we cannot disregard full answers, but when it comes to spoken fluency we ought to sound a bit more realistic.
    Thanks,
    Andréa

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  2. I think you are right. Sounding natural comes first.
    Danuza

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  3. Dear Danuza,
    Here you are:
    1- e
    2- c
    3- b
    4- d
    5- a

    I hope they are right!

    Love,
    Kelly

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Danusa,
    This blog is really useful!
    Every time I came here, I learn something new and interesting.
    :-D
    Keep it on doing (Is that correct?)
    Andrea

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  6. Dear Andrea,

    That´s what it is meant for. I am glad you´re enjoying it.
    Luv
    Danuza

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  7. Dear Kelly,
    Pretty soon we´ll let everybody know the answers.
    luv
    Danuza

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  8. I wanted to congratulate all the staff for the awesome blog!
    These kind of things that make our english much better!

    You guys are doing a great job!

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  9. How do I say "Quando um não quer, dois não brigam?" Thanks!!

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  10. Dear Julia,

    I managed to figure it out: " It takes two to tango".
    I hope you keep taking advantage of the blog.
    Luv,
    Danuza

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  11. Dear Danuza,

    I could never imagine that! That´s nice!

    Thank you!

    Love,

    Julia

    ReplyDelete