CiC3-TB

N OTES FOR PAGE 102

N OTES FOR PAGE 103

Preview • This dialog previews the main theme of this lesson, which is talking about exotic foods and eating out. • Things you could mention about this dialog: • Lines 2 and 5 : These replies exemplify a helpful technique for keeping the conversation going after a NO answer- just change the subject! • Line 6: Hiro’s long reply contains answers to several implicit questions. Which ones? Model Sentences 1 Romaji transcript of audio track 3-24 Have you ever tried Kobe beef? Kobe gyu wo tabete mita koto ga arimasu ka? Have you ever eaten at a French restaurant? Furansu ryoriten de shokuji wo shita koto ga arimasu ka?

Sounding Natural Note: Continuing conversations after a “NO” answer • This note is yet another spin on Golden Rule 2 and shows students how they can subtly change the subject to keep conversations flowing after a NO answer. English transcript of audio track 3-25 “No” answers tend to put a drag on conversations because they introduce a bit of uncertainty and may also signal an unwillingness to communicate. For example: A: Have you ever been to a Mexican restaurant? B: Ah, no I haven't. A: ??? A hard NO answer like this puts a bit of pressure on the speakers. For example, in which direction should the conversation flow from this point? Who will speak next, and what should they say? This bit of uncertainty can lead to an extended silence where both partners are waiting for the other person to say something. One typical technique for dealing with this is to ask your partner the same question back: A: Have you ever been to a Mexican restaurant? B: No, I haven't. Have you? This "bouncing" strategy allows the conversation to remain in flow. Another smooth technique is to follow your NO answer with a personal comment, in the style of Golden Rule 3. For example: A: Have you ever been to a Mexican restaurant? B: No, but I’d like to. / No, and I don’t especially want to. / No, but I have eaten at a Vietnamese restaurant once. This technique works well because it offers some clear ideas for how the conversation can continue. It also signals that you still want to communicate. It is a way to stay within the topic even if your answer is NO: I haven't done this, but I have done that . This is something English native speakers do a lot- it's a good way of keeping the conversation going.

Yes, I have. It was delicious. Hai, arimasu. Oishikatta desu. No, I haven’t, but I’d like to. Iie, arimasen ga, tabete mitai desu. No, I haven’t, and I don’t want to. Iie, arimasen shi, tabete mitaku arimasen. ❉❉ No, I haven’t, and I don’t want to.

This is a very strong statement, so if you say this, be prepared to say WHY you don’t want to try this type of food. For example: A: Have you ever tried natto? B: No I haven’t, and I don’t want to. It smells terrible!

Notes for Teachers: Unit 7 105