English, baby!

We're Talking Over

Date: Jan 04 2008

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

Picture a meeting of the government of your country. There’s probably some yelling, lots of interrupting, and maybe some objects being thrown. Could you imagine if each member of the government was silent for a few minutes after anyone said anything to allow time for thinking?

That’s how things are done with the Iroquois. The Iroquois is an ancient confederacy of five tribes of Native Americans. Their Constitution was a big influence on the writers of the US Constitution. But their meeting style, which was very slow and polite, has not been adopted by Western Culture.

For an example of Westerners talking over each other, there’s no need to look further than this site. All the audio files in the lessons are real conversations, and as many of you have noted in comments, the speakers often talk over each other. Listen to Marni and Mason talk over each other once again.

Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Mason

Marni

Mason: Yesterday, seriously, I was checking out some of the backlog lessons…

Marni: Yeah…

Mason: ...and I was looking at the comments and people point out that we talk over each other all the time.

Marni: We do, and I think you and I are probably some of the worst…

Mason: Probably…

Marni: ...offenders. And we’re doing it again!

Mason: I don’t know why. OK, whoa, my turn. When I think why, I just get really excited, you know? I get involved in the conversation.

Marni: Well, I also think it’s part of normal conversation. I think we do that a lot in this culture. We just kind of interject and it’s not necessarily seen as a taboo, but I can understand where somebody who’s like trying to understand what we’re saying is probably really annoyed with us.

Mason: Of course maybe I just start talking over you because you talk so long and I have to get my words in edgewise.

Marni: Oh really? You think I talk too much, huh?

Mason: Hey, we all go on monologues every once in a while.

Marni: Exactly. A little soap box.

Mason: Wait. You’re right. It’s just kind of natural, you know?

Marni: But I also think it’s a good point to bring up because it is kind of wrong. We should be better listeners in this culture, and I think things would be a lot different if we really listened to each other.

Mason: As sarcastic as you’re being, I agree with the valid point underneath your wit. It’s a lesson I should really take to heart.

Marni: We all should.

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Discussion

Mason noticed that a lot of comments on the lessons here on Ebaby! are from people saying that it’s hard to hear the audio because the speakers are talking over each other. Then he and Marni start talking at the same time.

Mason thinks he butts into the conversation because he’s excited. Marni thinks it’s a cultural thing. It’s just not regarded as rude in the US to interrupt every now and then. It takes a while to make that point, so Mason jokes that he has to interrupt her because she talks so much.

But even if it happens all the time, talking over other people means you’re not a very good listener. Marni thinks the world would be a better place if people listened to each other more. The way she says it is pretty corny, so Mason makes fun of her a little, but he agrees with her point.

Do you talk over people when you speak English? What about your first language?

Comments

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geila

China

i think so !

kaushalyats

Sri Lanka

I have many friends who use to talk about their very confidential things with me since because i'm a good listner and i do not talk over others. In our culture from the small days people are taught to listen to the person who is elder than you and then talks and talking over is considered as a taboo.

kaushalyats

Sri Lanka

I have many friends who use to talk about their very confidential things with me since because i’m a good listner and i do not talk over others. In our culture from the small days people are taught to listen to the person who is elder than you and then talks and talking over is considered as a taboo.

lathy

Viet Nam

sometimes i often talk over bcoz i cant restrain, if i talking abt sth which i passionate!Agree that talk over is not polite very much!im trying to change that

thepacific

Iraq

much interested but I'm terribly packed up with current transactions of everyday life.

alogigi

United States

" Silence is one of the great arts of conversatio" Hannah More.

Little pig

China

hi ,i am very happy to come here , i want to make friend with you ,but i am a freshman idon't know so much about computer and my english is so poor , if you could not mind make friend with me , i will so happy

Nguyen Vietnamese

Viet Nam

For an example of Westerners talking over each other, there’s no need to look further than this site. -> Yes

brook-guo

China

It`s a very interesting topic.In my opinion,it`s really not a good manner to talk over when someone are speaking.However,few people pay attantions to this problem.When someone are speaking around us it`s better for us to listen to silently.At the same time,the speaker should leave some times for the listener.I think it`s very important for a good speaker and listener.Of course,it depends on the different cultures of different states.I just discuss in term of our country.

mr ishaq

Malaysia

o0h..obviously we'll talk over each other..it some kind of fun..

gonzelius

Argentina

I tend to talk over others, myself. I'm working hard on changing that. Sometimes if I'm talking about something that I'm passionate about; I would interrupt them. I'm from Uruguay but living in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In our culture, this behavior is considered to be rude. There's a very famous tv hostess here, that is infamous for talking over her guests. No pun intended!

c l e v e r

China

i always wait for others when they are talking,i never interject them.i think talking over make others feel embarrassed

Cotto

China

ok hi

luyaru_shirley

China

hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii….........

lilyqi

American Samoa

hehehehe if always speak too louder that's not good for the health gentle will be better. hi do you have msn if you have we can chatting by msn my msn id :