VOA慢速英语2019 名师答疑：如何维持一段英语对话？

This week, we answer a question from a VOA listener¹ who writes:

本周，我们回复美国之音某位听众提出的一个问题。

Question:

提问：

I work with some native² speakers of English. I want to practice speaking with them so I improve my English. But sometimes, I get nervous, so our conversation ends quickly. How can I talk with these friends for a longer time? – VOA fan³

我的一些同事的母语是英语。我想要跟他们练练口语，以便提高我的英语水平。但是有时候我会很紧张，所以我们的对话很快就结束了。我怎样才能跟这些朋友多聊会呢？

Answer:

回答：

Dear VOA fan,

亲爱的听众，

You are right. It is not always easy to keep a conversation going in English. You might not be sure about what to say. Or maybe you are afraid that your pronunciation is not good.

你说得对，用英语对话不容易。你可能不确定该说些什么。或者会担心自己的发音不太标准。

Listen and follow up

倾听并跟进

First, remember the importance⁴ of listening. Listen to the other person carefully, so that you can ask a follow-up question. For example, let's say the other person tells you, "I just got back from a trip to Canada."

首先，请记住倾听非常重要。认真地倾听对方，以便你可以提出后续问题。例如，假设某人跟你说，“我刚从加拿大旅行归来。”

You can follow up with a question using Who, What, Where, When, Why, or How:

你可以使用谁、什么、哪里、何时、为什么或是如何来跟进这个问题。

Where did you go in Canada?

你去加拿大哪里啦？

What was your favorite place there?

你最喜欢哪个地方？

How was the food there?

那里的食物怎么样？

Avoid⁵ simple ‘yes' or ‘no' questions

避免用是或不是来回答的问题

If you want to keep a conversation going, it's a good idea to ask questions that cannot be answered with a simple ‘yes' or ‘no.'

如果你想保持对话的进行，最好提出一些不能简单地用是或不是来回答的问题。

If the other person asks you a ‘yes' or ‘no' question, try to give a longer answer to help keep the conversation going.

如果对方问你一个用是或不是来回答的问题，请尝试给出更长的回答，以帮助保持对话的进行。

For example, a friend might ask, "Hey, have you seen the new Star Wars⁶ movie?"

例如，有朋友可能问你，“嘿，你看过新拍的《星球大战》电影吗？”

You could just answer, "No, I haven't." Or, you could say more.

你可以光回答，“我没看过。”或者，你可以多说点。

You could answer: "No, but I plan to see it soon. How about you?"

你可以回答：“我还没看呢，但是我打算尽快去看。你看了吗？”

Be brave and practice often

勇敢一点并经常练习

Do not worry about your pronunciation. If your pronunciation is a little different, the other person will still understand your message if you try speaking slowly and clearly. When you are traveling in an English-speaking country and have some free time, be brave and speak in English with someone who does not look too busy. You may make a new friend.

不要担心你的发音。如果你的发音略有不同，那就说慢点，说清楚点，对方还是能听懂。当你在讲英语的国家旅行时，有空就勇敢地跟那些看不上不太忙的人士对话。你也许会交到新朋友。

 

1 listener   

n.听众；收听者

参考例句：

• I'm a regular listener to her show.我经常收听她的节目。
• She became an attentive listener.她变成了一个专心致志的聆听者。

2 native   

adj.本国的，本地的；n.本地人，本国人

参考例句：

• No government shall take away the rights of the native people.任何政府也不能剥夺土著人的权利。
• This is my native land and I'll defend it with my life!这是我的祖国，我将用生命保卫她！

3 fan   

n.风扇，迷，狂热者；v.煽，煽动，刺激

参考例句：

• Are you a football fan?你是足球迷吗？
• Jack is a baseball fan.杰克是个棒球迷。

4 importance   

n.重要性，重大，价值

参考例句：

• Never mind who told me,that's of no importance.不用管是谁告诉我的，这无关紧要。
• Today more and more businessmen understand the importance of sports.今天越来越多的商人认识到运动的重要性。

5 avoid   

v.避免；vt.避免，逃避

参考例句：

• You can avoid all kinds of trouble by letting well alone.随遇而安就能避免种种麻烦。
• I wanted to avoid a meeting with her.我想避免与她会面。

6 wars   

n.战争( war的名词复数 )；战争期间；斗争；竞争

参考例句：

• US involvement in European wars 美国对欧洲战争的干预
• Fans waited for years for the first Star Wars prequel. 《星球大战》的第一部前传让影迷期待了多年。