Daily English 710 - Doubting One’s Language Use

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Dialogue/Story

Slow Speed begins at: 1:23
Explanation begins at: 3:24
Normal Speed begins at: 17:23

Flora: Can you help me? I’m working on this email to Emil and I’m having trouble coming up with the right words in French.

Andy: My French isn’t much better than yours, but I’ll give it a shot.

Flora: Okay, read this sentence for me. What I want to know is if that is a suitable way to say that I’m sick, but that I’m not seriously ill.

Andy: Word choice can be tricky, but I think that’s the appropriate word, with the right meaning and the right connotations.

Flora: Okay, now read this sentence. It doesn’t sound right to me. Is this the right usage of the word “faire”? I really doubt it.

Andy: That’s because you’re using the wrong form of the verb, I think. Now if only I can think of the correct form. My French is really, really rusty.

Flora: Now that you’ve pointed out the problem, I can look it up later. What about this paragraph? The last sentence sounds awkward to me.

Andy: It sounds okay to me, but then again, I’m not a native speaker.

Flora: Ugh, this is so frustrating! It’s such a production every time I write him an email.

Andy: Maybe Emil will learn English and your troubles will be over.

Flora: Yes and maybe monkeys will fly out of my butt!

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