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We're Talking Over

We're Talking Over

Date: Jan 04 2008

Themes: Friend

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.

Log in to Listen

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

Mason

Mason

Marni

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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shawik2007

Uganda

Hi, to  me  talking   when  someone  is  talking  is  a  very  bad  habbit  and  when  I'm  not  mistaken,  I  have  never  practiced  that   habbit.

08:20 AM Jan 05 2008 |

shawik2007

Uganda

Hi, this  is  Shawik  from  Uganda. In  my  country, people  talk  too much  when  they  are  urgueing  about  football, but  things  concerning  other  issues,  they  are  good  listeners. 

08:06 AM Jan 05 2008 |

mahoor.

mahoor.

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Do you think that's enough not to interrupt? Or we need some more to have a complete negotiation. Some people are so polite apparently and listen you quitely but in fact they have a specific idea in their mind and never hear and think about anything else. They just have their own word. We could see this in bigot people.

08:04 AM Jan 05 2008 |

aree_chuntor@yahoo.com

Thailand

Yep i think so if we don't finish talking with someone.. it is not polite.Sealed

07:58 AM Jan 05 2008 |

ammukvl

India

hai,

i am really happy to join in this.

 

07:22 AM Jan 05 2008 |

SherryChan

SherryChan

China

hi

I totally agree with you

However , people always ignore this situation.

05:08 AM Jan 05 2008 |

Daisy:)

Daisy:)

China

valiyandiyil:

  I am so happy to make friends with you. And I have send the invitation to you.

02:01 AM Jan 05 2008 |

alice-wang

alice-wang

China

it is polite that you listen to others carefully and no interruption when someone is speaking , but talking over is a funy thing.

01:33 AM Jan 05 2008 |

valiyandiyil@yahoo.com

India

it' s a very interested topic.i am very happy to come here.i want to make a good friend with you.i am will so happy

 

01:19 AM Jan 05 2008 |

Daisy:)

Daisy:)

China

When someone says nonsense,that means kill time of each other.Then talking over him or her is necessary,but we should take an acceptable way to do it.

01:18 AM Jan 05 2008 |

vickinga

vickinga

Bolivia

it is not polite not listening when somebody is speaking.

10:52 PM Jan 04 2008 |

rihab2008

rihab2008

Tunisia

i want to say that this leason open my eyes of something.i dicover that i talking over.but really ididnt know it .even my friend complain of this all the time. so from this moment i will leave this behaveour, and i will try to be good listner.Ok it s promise

09:36 PM Jan 04 2008 |

rihab2008

rihab2008

Tunisia

 i can be your friend

09:06 PM Jan 04 2008 |

oli_khan

Bangladesh

Hi , This Is Oli…I m Interested to make friendship with u pple…anybody here…? I m Awaiting…..to make u a frnd of mine….

06:47 PM Jan 04 2008 |

balykhan

Pakistan

i am a new member of you site can you like allow me and i wish make friends here

06:44 PM Jan 04 2008 |

gieek waat

gieek waat

Gambia

hello,i am very happy to  come here , i want to make friend with you, but i am  a  freshman  i don't know so much about computer and my English is so poor,  if you could not mind make friend with me so that i can learn from you.

I am from the Gambia in west Africa. i will be very please to see people talk to me.

06:27 PM Jan 04 2008 |

arfanali

arfanali

Guyana

me too bro

06:17 PM Jan 04 2008 |

soos14

soos14

Palestinian Territory, Occupied

i do it just when someone are speaking and speaking without let me any spaces to reply.. specially,when he have another point of view.. actually he annoys me..i had to talking over him Embarassed ..what can i do?

04:26 PM Jan 04 2008 |

SAN

South Korea

I'm not pretty sure, but most of Koreans, especially, older Koreans don't like to be interrupted. Some of them even think those people are rude. But, personally, I don't think that it's fair to listen to them and agree with them all the time as they are older than me even though it's Korean culture.

04:15 PM Jan 04 2008 |

susu.2007

susu.2007

Iraq

 Mason have a point there, that some times you have to talk over cuz they just talking and talking and talking so you have to just cut it to say your opinion.

03:33 PM Jan 04 2008 |

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