English, baby!

We're Talking Over

Date: Jan 04 2008

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Picture a meeting of the government of your country. There’s probably some yelling, lots of interrupting, and maybe some objects being thrown. Could you imagine if each member of the government was silent for a few minutes after anyone said anything to allow time for thinking?

That’s how things are done with the Iroquois. The Iroquois is an ancient confederacy of five tribes of Native Americans. Their Constitution was a big influence on the writers of the US Constitution. But their meeting style, which was very slow and polite, has not been adopted by Western Culture.

For an example of Westerners talking over each other, there’s no need to look further than this site. All the audio files in the lessons are real conversations, and as many of you have noted in comments, the speakers often talk over each other. Listen to Marni and Mason talk over each other once again.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Mason

Marni

Mason: Yesterday, seriously, I was checking out some of the backlog lessons…

Marni: Yeah…

Mason: ...and I was looking at the comments and people point out that we talk over each other all the time.

Marni: We do, and I think you and I are probably some of the worst…

Mason: Probably…

Marni: ...offenders. And we’re doing it again!

Mason: I don’t know why. OK, whoa, my turn. When I think why, I just get really excited, you know? I get involved in the conversation.

Marni: Well, I also think it’s part of normal conversation. I think we do that a lot in this culture. We just kind of interject and it’s not necessarily seen as a taboo, but I can understand where somebody who’s like trying to understand what we’re saying is probably really annoyed with us.

Mason: Of course maybe I just start talking over you because you talk so long and I have to get my words in edgewise.

Marni: Oh really? You think I talk too much, huh?

Mason: Hey, we all go on monologues every once in a while.

Marni: Exactly. A little soap box.

Mason: Wait. You’re right. It’s just kind of natural, you know?

Marni: But I also think it’s a good point to bring up because it is kind of wrong. We should be better listeners in this culture, and I think things would be a lot different if we really listened to each other.

Mason: As sarcastic as you’re being, I agree with the valid point underneath your wit. It’s a lesson I should really take to heart.

Marni: We all should.

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Discussion

Mason noticed that a lot of comments on the lessons here on Ebaby! are from people saying that it’s hard to hear the audio because the speakers are talking over each other. Then he and Marni start talking at the same time.

Mason thinks he butts into the conversation because he’s excited. Marni thinks it’s a cultural thing. It’s just not regarded as rude in the US to interrupt every now and then. It takes a while to make that point, so Mason jokes that he has to interrupt her because she talks so much.

But even if it happens all the time, talking over other people means you’re not a very good listener. Marni thinks the world would be a better place if people listened to each other more. The way she says it is pretty corny, so Mason makes fun of her a little, but he agrees with her point.

Do you talk over people when you speak English? What about your first language?

Comments

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gresa

Albania

hmm- maybe sometimes just with my best friends if I can not wait to add something interesning.

I hate to interrupt me ,so I usualy don't interrupt others.

bingheshui

China

It is a interesting topic ! I am a person who do not like to interrupt others when they are talking .Maybe it has something to do with my personality ,but i do not think it is a bad thing anyway

gunslinger

Brazil

We should think better about talking over, cause is listenig we learn.

zaidoon

Jordan

hi i will be happy if i meet any one to laren english my english not so good

nasirtaimoori

Pakistan

We should listen carefully, what is being said. We should wait when anyone wants to say something.

牙子噶噶

China

would i make friend with you ?? my china name is XiangEnYi . i am boy, 23-year-old. I want to make more friends by ebaby,improving english writing ability and speaking ability .so let's make progress together!!! thanks!!!

Tinyjiang

China

reading so quickly..

i don't understand

ljohonglam

Viet Nam

listening is better than speaking.

abdeeq

Somalia

Communication Skills ..

quququ

China

Me too ,I want to learn English well,but sometimes I don`t know what should I can do ,I don`t have a lot of friends, I am a girl who don`t like speak a lot ,but I want to have many good friends to spare sorrow and happiness with them ,if you want to make friends with me ,I will be verry pleased,

King James

Indonesia

As a Human being. We have a right to speak more and more without any forcing. So, "Just speak it out"

King James

Indonesia

As a human being, we have the right to spek. So Speak it out

raniah

Saudi Arabia

awesome Topic

and great conversation

thank you :)

rahaf

Jordan

mmmm ... this thing depend on the person not on the culture or on the country …but in our country its rude to interupt ppl to say something ,, u should wait untill they finish then u can say wat u want 2 say .. so talkiing over each other also its not good bcause we will not understand each other .. u should be silent untill the other finish thier talking … & about me i dont do this thanx for good :)

qingximingjian

China

hi,i am very happy to come here.My english is very poor. i want to learn english online.i would like to make friends with everybody.i will be very happy if i become your friend.

P.Pradeep Ganesh

India

I like English,baby. Thanks a lot for your lessons.

siempre

Russian Federation

It's so irritates when somebody speaks simultaneously and interrupts other people. And it's a big problem I guess for good understanding each other.

PsyMax

Russian Federation

I reckon, people who talk less and listen more are wise and people who talk much and don't listen at all pretend to be wise, but indeed they look stupid, and if they do not understand that they are stupid twice! Perhaps it's fun to talk over other people, but don't you think it's frequently far more useful to listen rather than to speak?

victoriawei

China

hello,i'm new here ! i always talk over ,however,in my country talking over was considered a bad manner.you should listen quiet to others who is older than you,such as your teacher,father,uncle an so on.it does't matter when you talk with among your friends