Functional language

1- SOMETHING STRANGE

1.A.Conversation 1:

The utterance out of context is: Chris, I was just wondering if you’d mind awfully turning the radio down?

It is a too polite formula to use in this situation. It would be more appropriate to say something like: Chris! Please, turn the radio down!

Conversation 2:

The utterance out of context is: So, I’m out of here early, ok?This utterance is formulated in informal language. It would be more appropriate to say

something like: I wanted to know if it would be possible to leave early today.

1.B.The purspose of what Harry said was “making a request”.The purpose of what Steve said was “asking for permission”.

1.C.Examples:a. I’m sorry , I deeply apologise for what I did (Apologising)b. Would you like to come to my party this Saturday? (Inviting)c. Hey, I’m having a party! Come with me! (Inviting)d. Ok! I will be there ( accepting an invitation)e. Why don’t we go to the mall? (Suggestion)f. What about cooking instead of buying food? (Suggestion)g. Tell me the time, please! (Askingforinformation)

2- HOW POLITE?

2.A. Turnthe radio down. Can you turn the radio down? Would you turn the radio down, please? Would you mind turning the radio down? I hate to ask, but you couldn’t possibly turn the radio down, could you?

2.B. I have to leave early, ok? Ok with you if I leave early? Can I leaveearly? Do you mind If I leave early? Would it be possible for me to leave early?

2.C.1- Wewouldchoose: I hate to ask, but you couldn’t possibly turn the radio down, could you? Would you mind turning the radio down?

2- Can you turn the radio down?3- I hate to ask, but you couldn’t possibly lend me….4- Would it be possible for me to use your car for a week?5- The role or the status you have in a particular situation.

3- A STRANGE REQUEST

3.A. A: What time he’s coming? B: He said he’d pone. A: Listen, that’ll be him now. B:My hands are covered in flour. A: Oh, where’s your mobile? B: Theotherroom. A: Ok then!

3.B.1. The request in the conversation is implicit. The addressee can infer it from the

context, in this case, the fact that the addresser has his/her hands cover with flour, which is why he or she can’t answer the phone. A more explicit request would have been: Could you please answer my mobile phone? I have my hands cover with flour.

3.C.1. Giving informationA: Hey, I can’t find my new laptop. Have you seen it?B: Well, there’s your new laptop (pointing to the table which was in plain sight)Expressing annoyance(walking down the street, in front of a shop window)A:Mom , Mom! I want a new laptop! A new laptop! A new laptop!B:Well, there’s your new laptop!!! (After buying it)2. Expressing surprise(School)Teacher : We are writing an essay today!St1 : I had no idea that I’d need to bring pen and paper.St 2: I thought it was only speaking today.Asking for helpBoss: Come to the other room in order to take some notes.Applicant: (to the secretary in a low voice). I have no idea that I ‘dneed to bring pen and

paper.

Secretary: Here, take mine.3. Insisting in a polite way-Would you marry me?-I don’t know…-Just think about it, ok?Giving adviceA: I’m going to take bungee jumping lessons.B: I think it’s a bit dangerous.A: But I want to do it.B: Just think about it, ok?4.Expressing angerSon: Can I take the dog to my bed?Mom: No!Son: Please!Mom: I’m not going to say it again.Apologizing / expressing regretSt 1: (to another student) Stop bothering me, stupid!Teacher : That’s not a nice thing to say.St 2: I’m not going to say it again.

4- FUNCTION AND FORMS

4.A.1. What about meeting for lunch?2. Why don’t we meet for lunch?3. We could meet for lunch.4.Shall we meet for lunch?5. Let’s meet for lunch!

4.B.1. The function in these utterances is to make suggestions.2.Exponents are underlined.3. After a preposition we always use verbs with ING ending. After auxiliary verb you need subject pronouns. After modal verbs we use a bare infinitive. We can only use SHALL with first person. After Lets we use a bare infinitive.

5- SOME MATERIAL

5.A.1. The context related to the restaurant is not so familiar to us because we don’t have

such variety of restaurants, so as to pick between an Italian ora French one. Besides we are not used to booking tables when we want to celebrate a special occasion.

The second context is more familiar to us because it is related to going to the cinema.2. The context seems too organised for an informal conversation between two friends.3. Considering that the aim is practising suggestions at elementary level, there are

probably too many exponents. Maybe it would be better to work with two or three exponents in order not to overwhelm the learners.

4. It is quite challenging for elementary students because there are many different grammar structures involved.

5.B.The second excerpt, because it focuses more on communication than in Grammar, so it

is not as overwhelming for learners as the first one.