Non-native English speakers' emphatic method
Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 6:32 pm
I happen to know some people from Russia, Bangalore, and Saudi Arabia; they have various degrees of English competence.
For some reason, the following scenario comes up frequently.
The person is trying to make a point, and is pausing for effect. In America, we might say something like:
"Consider this:" (pregnant pause)....stated point.
I tend to hear this from them.
"Think about this one:" (pregnant pause)...stated point. What is even more charming is the fact that the intonational center of the phrase could be on ANY word. In fact sometimes it is said with a major IC and then a minor one, creating a sort of charming sing-song effect.
I was wondering if there was any particular reason via ESL instruction that they may be phrasing their intent in this manner.
Unfortunately, the phrase and the way they apply intonation to that particular phrase is so infectious, that I have found myself unconsciously using it with other Americans. Since I tend to interact quite abit with people who are not native English speakers, for some reason, their little phraseologies tend to rub off on me. Of course, upon hearing this from me, other Americans tend to look at me fish-eyed, or at best chuckle. (I am "otherwise" a native Kansan).
Any insights on why an ESL-educated person would tend to use this phrase? I would probably think nothing of it except that I have heard it from more than one culture.
For some reason, the following scenario comes up frequently.
The person is trying to make a point, and is pausing for effect. In America, we might say something like:
"Consider this:" (pregnant pause)....stated point.
I tend to hear this from them.
"Think about this one:" (pregnant pause)...stated point. What is even more charming is the fact that the intonational center of the phrase could be on ANY word. In fact sometimes it is said with a major IC and then a minor one, creating a sort of charming sing-song effect.
I was wondering if there was any particular reason via ESL instruction that they may be phrasing their intent in this manner.
Unfortunately, the phrase and the way they apply intonation to that particular phrase is so infectious, that I have found myself unconsciously using it with other Americans. Since I tend to interact quite abit with people who are not native English speakers, for some reason, their little phraseologies tend to rub off on me. Of course, upon hearing this from me, other Americans tend to look at me fish-eyed, or at best chuckle. (I am "otherwise" a native Kansan).
Any insights on why an ESL-educated person would tend to use this phrase? I would probably think nothing of it except that I have heard it from more than one culture.