The world wide web TESL Journal Offering and Accepting Compliments Gerard CounihanprofesorSs [at] blabla.esBrief Introduction for that TeacherSocio-linguists talking about the topic of politeness point out that there's three phenomena at play whenever a compliment is compensated to an individual: the recipient can decide upon to accept it specifically, indirectly, or refuse it (he or she can presumably develop a blend of all three). Each one of these techniques commonly are not ill-intentioned, obviously, they're employed by human beings in tough scenarios, as a result of handling a compliment can be a fragile affair.If you should accept it most suitable away, we're told, your response may insinuate superiority: John, that you are so intelligent.I realized it the many time.If you ever refuse a compliment, you could possibly upset the giver. John,
Windows 7 Home Premium, you look and feel wonderful.Not in the least, I appear terrible.About the other hand, we've got the situation of frequency; if anyone is lavish with compliments-and by no means stops giving them, we could consult ourselves if she or he extremely would mean it. Americans, one example is, are claimed to get specially fond of complimenting, whereas other nationalities would be probably more inclined to prevent what are noticed as potentially embarrassing occasions. Subsequently, People in the usa are accused of hypocrisy, whereas, we could suppose, the latter may very well be accused of staying cold-natured. After which yet again, one can argue that an abundance of complimenting can reflect equality, directness, honesty, spontaneity. It's a no-win situation, nonetheless it must be dealt with, since compliments do come about and are paid. Its, I presume, not a vital region of studying a target language, but, if absolutely nothing, else, teachers can sensitise their students to an intriguing spot of interaction, and perhaps produce some enjoyable inside practice. Exercise AGet the college students to chat about how they or consumers within their nations deal with compliments. Exercise BGet the pupils to present (and react to) the following unfinished compliments. They can do it in pairs or in modest groups. It may well be a fantastic idea to split up the students into pairs, and also to ask them to compose down just about every other's replies. In this way, every single pair can report again towards the relaxation of the course once the picked compliments are dealt with. Listening to other students' efforts is superior enjoyment. Every pair could also "act out" their mini dialogue. Inspire the pupils to inject some emotion to the exchanges, that may be ensure that they use appropriate intonation. Possible Compliments: You seem ...What a lovely ...You converse English ...I like your new ...Your perm is ...Where did you get that (indirect ) ...You compose really effectively, it is advisable to ...I admire your ...Nicely done, your work ...Congratulations on your ...Keep up the superior work, ...You get immediately after your motherfather, ... The net TESL Journal, Vol. V, No. 2, February 1999