Speaking English is not only about using proper grammar. To use English effectively, you need to understand the culture in which it is spoken. Here are a number of important tips to remember when speaking English in the United States.
說英語不僅僅要語法正確。想要有效地使用英語,你需要了解語言使用國的文化。如果你在美國說英語,那么下面這些注意事項(xiàng)是你應(yīng)該記住的。
General Points to Remember
需要記住的事項(xiàng)
Most Americans only speak English: While it is true that more and more Americans speak Spanish, most Americans only speak English.
Americans have difficulty understanding foreign accents: Many Americans are not used to foreign accents. This requires patience from both of you!
大部分美國人只說英語:盡管現(xiàn)在越來越多的美國人能說西班牙語是事實(shí),但是大部分的美國人只說英語。
美國人在理解外國口音上有困難:很多美國人不習(xí)慣外國口音。這就需要你們交談雙方都有耐心才行。
Conversation Tips
交談溝通秘籍
Speak about location: Americans love to talk about location. When speaking to a stranger, ask them where they are from and then make a connection with that place. For example, “Oh, I have a friend who studied in Los Angeles. He says its a beautiful place to live.” Most Americans will then willingly talk about their experiences living or visiting that particular city or area.
Talk about work: Americans commonly ask “What do you do?”. Its not considered impolite in some countries but is a popular topic of discussion between strangers in America.
Talk about sports: Americans love sports! However, they love American sports. When speaking about football, most Americans understand “American Football”, not soccer.
談?wù)摰攸c(diǎn):美國人喜歡談?wù)摰攸c(diǎn)。和陌生人說話的時(shí)候,可以問問他們從哪里來,然后找到自己跟那個(gè)地方的聯(lián)系。比如:“啊,我有個(gè)朋友在洛杉磯學(xué)習(xí),他說那地方很漂亮?!边@時(shí)大部分美國人就會(huì)很樂意談起他們居住或者到過那個(gè)特殊的城市或地區(qū)的經(jīng)歷。
談?wù)摴ぷ鳎好绹送ǔ?huì)問,“你是做什么工作的?”在某些國家這樣的問法會(huì)被認(rèn)為是不禮貌的,但在美國不是,這只是陌生人之間聊天的一個(gè)流行話題。
談?wù)撨\(yùn)動(dòng):美國人超愛運(yùn)動(dòng)!然而,他們喜歡美國的運(yùn)動(dòng)。如果說到足球,大部分美國人會(huì)理解成“美式足球(橄欖球)”而不是足球。
Addressing People
對(duì)人的稱呼
Use last names with people you do not know: Address people using their title (Mr, Ms, Dr, etc.) and their last names.
Always use “Ms” when addressing women: It is important to use “Ms” when addressing a woman. Only use “Mrs” when the woman has asked you to do so.
Many Americans prefer first names: Americans often prefer using first names, even when dealing with people in very different positions. Americans will generally say “Call me Tom” and then expect you to remain on a first name basis.
Americans prefer informal: In general, Americans prefer informal greetings and using first names or nicknames when speaking with colleagues and acquaintances.
對(duì)不認(rèn)識(shí)的人要稱呼他們的姓:用他們的頭銜(先生、女士、博士等)加上他們的姓來稱呼人。
稱呼女性的時(shí)候通常用“女士”:稱呼女性的時(shí)候用“女士”是很重要的。如果對(duì)方要求你稱呼“夫人”,那再照辦好了。
很多美國人喜歡被叫名字:美國人通常喜歡用他們的名字,甚至是和身份非常不同的人打交道時(shí)。美國人通常會(huì)說“叫我湯姆”,然后真的希望你用他們的名字來稱呼他們。
美國人不拘小節(jié):通常情況下,美國人喜歡非正式的問候,提到他們的同事和熟人的時(shí)候,他們喜歡使用名字或昵稱。