為什麼有時候英文明明聽得懂，卻不懂它真正的意思?
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在語言學 direct speech act (直接的言語行為) 可以被簡單定義為一個人直接透過字面意義 (literal meaning) 來表達他的意圖，而 indirect speech act (間接的言語行為) 則是用來表達話語本身之外的意圖。
給同學一個例子，今天假如一位滿意的顧客在跟老闆討論他的店，說 “You have such a nice store.” 應該是在稱讚老闆的店面，用語跟表達的意圖是一致的。
但是今天假如是有幾位兇神惡煞跟老闆說 “That’s a nice store you got there.” 表達的意思就跟用語截然不同了 (應該是要收保護費的意思)!
這就解釋了為什麼雙方都能理解彼此說的話，但若有一方(第二語言學習者)不懂間接的言語行為(涵義)就可能會產生誤會。
那人說話為什麼不直接一點呢? 而這又跟你英文學習有何關係? 看看以下的影片並留言回答這些問題吧~
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Language as a Window into Human Nature:
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Watch the video and answer ANY of the following questions in the comments below:
1. When do people generally use indirect speech?
2. Why do they use it (hint: mutual and individual knowledge)?
3. Why do some cultures use more indirect speech while others might be more direct?
4. What does this have to do with your English learning?
5. How can you learn to perform indirect speech acts?
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