VOA慢速英语2018--英语的路标

The Road Signs of English

If you are driving a car, you will probably see many traffic or road signs. They provide information about how fast to go, which way to turn and whether a road ends or begins.

Languages also have signs that provide direction when speaking to others or writing. In English, we call these words “discourse¹ markers.” Think of them as road signs for language.

We use discourse markers to signal² a beginning or end of a conversation, list the order of ideas, react³ to a speaker, change the subject and do other things.

In other Everyday Grammar programs, we talked about such markers as “you know,” “well” and “okay.” Today, we will examine a few uses of discourse markers in informal⁴, natural speech.

Everyday, natural speech

Some are used only used in informal speech, while others are for formal writing and speech.

You hear and see informal markers in conversations, text messages, songs, classrooms and on broadcast programs and social media⁵.

Let us hear how they sound in a short conversation between two friends. In the following exchange, you will hear the markers “hey,” “by the way,” “let’s see” and “so.” Think about the purpose of each one:

Hey, Tasha! How is it going?

Good! I haven’t seen you in weeks. How have you been?

Busy, but great! By the way, what are you doing tomorrow night?

Let me see. I am planning on voting tomorrow afternoon but will be free after that! What did you have in mind?

So, there is a book signing at Dream Bean coffee house tomorrow at 6 o’clock. Want to come?

That sounds great!

Did you catch the purpose of each?

The word “hey” is used to get the attention of the listener⁶. In this case, it is also a very informal way of saying hello. English speakers use “by the way” and “so” to lead into a statement⁷ or question. But the words “by the way” inform the listener of a change in direction of the conversation. Lastly, the words “let’s see” show that the speaker is trying to remember something.

Use 1: starting a conversation

Now, let’s talk about four uses of discourse markers.

I just used one in the last sentence. Did you catch it?

It was the word “now.” We use it and other words and phrases⁹ to mark the start of a conversation or announce an idea. “Now” can introduce the idea or show a change in subject.

In Everyday Grammar programs, you have heard us use the markers “now,” “okay,” “so” and “alright.” These all tell the listener to pay attention because the speaker may offer a new piece of information.

Use 2: ending a conversation

Some of the same discourse markers are also used to end a conversation. For example, one might use the words “okay” or “alright” to inform the listener you will soon finish what you are saying. Take a listen:

Just saw your message. Alright, I’m late for a meeting. I will call you later. I have got to go!

Another word we often use is “anyway.” Here is the same example with that word:

Just saw your message. Anyway, I’m late for a meeting. I will call you later. I have got to go!

Use 3: changing the subject

Now, let’s turn to useful words and phrases for changing the subject. Notice I used “now” to move to another part of today’s subject.

You may have noticed the flexibility¹⁰ of some discourse markers. Some have more than one use. But be careful: Others do not.

“Anyway” is an example of a flexible¹¹ marker. English speakers not only use it to suggest a conversation’s end. We also use it to signal that we will start talking about something else.

And, as you heard earlier, “by the way” is an effective phrase⁸ for quickly changing direction.

Another phrase is “That reminds me.” When someone has just said or done something that helps us remember something else, one might say, “That reminds me.”

Here is how it might be used:

Hey, do you know what the dinner special is?

Yeah, it’s teriyaki chicken.

Oh, that reminds me, I forgot to take the chicken out of my freezer!

Use 4: responding¹² to speaker

Other discourse markers assure¹³ speakers that the listener is paying attention to what they are saying. They can show interest in, surprise at, excitement for or agreement with what the speaker is saying.

Words that show interest include “yeah” and “I see.” “Oh really” and “really” usually show surprise. And “exactly” and “right” show agreement. Here’s an example of a speaker showing agreement:

I hate riding the 43 bus! It is crowded and really stinks¹⁴.

Exactly! That is why I take the train.

Okay, well, now that you have learned¹⁵ some road signs of the English language, we hope you will drive safely!

I’m Alice Bryant.

Words in This Story

discourse – n. the use of words to exchange thoughts and ideas

conversation – n. an informal talk between two people or a small group of people

informal – adj. relaxed in tone¹⁶ : not suited for serious or official speech and writing

o’clock – n. according¹⁷ to the clock

flexible – adj. able to change or to do different things

assure – v. to make something certain

introduce – v. to present something for discussion or consideration

1 discourse   

n.论文，演说；谈话；话语；vi.讲述，著述

参考例句：

• We'll discourse on the subject tonight.我们今晚要谈论这个问题。
• He fell into discourse with the customers who were drinking at the counter.他和站在柜台旁的酒客谈了起来。

2 signal   

n.信号，暗号

参考例句：

• This is a signal failure.这是明显的失败。
• A train must not pass a signal that is at danger.火车切不可越过危险信号。

3 react   

vi.起反应，起作用；反抗，起反作用

参考例句：

• She didn't look up or react in any way.她既不抬头，也没有任何反应。
• How did he react to your suggestion?他如何对待你的建议？

4 informal   

adj.非正式的，不拘礼的，通俗的

参考例句：

• I got an informal reception.我受到了非正式接待。
• The leaders met over informal lunches.领袖们在非正式午餐时进行会晤。

5 media   

n.(medium的复数)媒体，新闻媒介，传播媒介

参考例句：

• The local media reported rioting across the country.当地媒体报道了全国范围的骚乱。
• His latest movie is being hyped up by the media.他新近的电影正被媒体大肆炒作。

6 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。

7 statement   

n.陈述；声明；综述

参考例句：

• The government will put out a new statement tomorrow.政府将于明天发布一项新声明。
• Put down your statement in black and white.把你的话用白纸黑字写下来。

8 phrase   

n.短语，词组；成语，习语

参考例句：

• The phrase was caught on and immediately became popular.这个短语被采用后很快就流行了。
• That's exactly the phrase I was looking for.这就是我一直找的那个短语。

9 phrases   

n.短语( phrase的名词复数 )；成语；说法；乐句

参考例句：

• Sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 体育解说员翻来覆去说着同样的词语，真叫人腻烦。
• Television sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 电视体育解说员说来说去就是那么几句话，令人厌烦。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 flexibility   

n.柔韧性，弹性，（光的）折射性，灵活性

参考例句：

• Her great strength lies in her flexibility.她的优势在于她灵活变通。
• The flexibility of a man's muscles will lessen as he becomes old.人老了肌肉的柔韧性将降低。

11 flexible   

adj.易曲的，灵活的，柔软的，能变形的，可通融的

参考例句：

• We need a foreign policy that is more flexible.我们需要一种更灵活的外交政策。
• We should stick to the principles and be flexible as well.我们既要有原则性，也要有灵活性。

12 responding   

回答，回报，响应( respond的现在分词 )； 有反应； 有效果； 有影响

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals. 他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• Responding with a smile, he said, "Well, why don't you?" 他也笑道：“咦，你为什么不说话了？”

13 assure   

vt.使确信；向…保证，使有保证

参考例句：

• The only ladder to assure success is to work hard.确保成功的惟一途径是刻苦努力。
• I assure you that she can be trusted to do the job.我担保她能做好这项工作。

14 stinks   

v.散发出恶臭( stink的第三人称单数 )；发臭味；名声臭；糟透

参考例句：

• The whole scheme stinks to high heaven—don't get involved in it. 整件事十分卑鄙龌龊——可别陷了进去。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The soup stinks of garlic. 这汤有大蒜气味。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

15 learned   

adj.有学问的，博学的；learn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He went into a rage when he learned about it.他听到这事后勃然大怒。
• In this little village,he passed for a learned man.在这个小村子里，他被视为有学问的人。

16 tone   

n.语气，音调，气度，色调；vt.（up）增强

参考例句：

• There was a tone of mockery in his voice.他说话的语气含有嘲笑的意味。
• Holmes used an informal,chatty tone in his essays.霍姆斯在文章中语气轻松随便。

17 according   

adj.按照，根据

参考例句：

• According to the Bible we are all the seed of Adam.根据《圣经》所说的，我们都是亚当的后裔。
• We must cut our coat according to our cloth this year.今年我们必须学会量入为出。