Business English Podcast: Language Confusion Stories

Most of us have a story about being confused when

we're speaking in a, in a foreign language.

Like when you speak, when you're traveling, when

you're working in an international environment, whatever

like language mixups, like, they just happen.

But you know, those mixups

they don't have to be stressful all the time.

And depending on the situation

they can actually be really funny

especially when it's in a relaxed environment situation.

You're with your friends or your family

and you can just laugh about it.

And, you know, that's part of why I really love working

with an international team because when you make these kinds

of mistakes, people, you know, they understand.

And it just makes your whole life so much easier.

Now in today's episode, you're going to hear one

of my own language confusion stories as I tell it to Janine

who is one of our expert business English coaches

and she's also learning another language.

So, you know, she can relate.

I'm sure that you can relate also.

Definitely you're going to enjoy this podcast.

I hope it, you know

I hope it makes you laugh a little bit, at least smile.

And I hope

that it also helps you to see that language mix ups.

That's just part of the process of speaking a language.

So this is our first episode of a podcast video.

I hope you enjoy it.

Definitely let me know in the comments.

And now onto the podcast.

Faster Fluency Conversation Club podcast

funny misunderstandings in conversations

in a foreign language.

And today I'm here with Janine, and this is actually our

I would say two firsts, actually.

It's our fo first video podcast.

And Janine, it's your first podcast.

It's, yeah, I'm really excited about it.

So lot, lots of, lots of firsts going on here.

Yeah. So as

as you can probably tell we're testing out something new.

We'll, I don't, we're gonna test it

for a few months and see how you like it.

And so yeah, you can definitely tell us some feedback

in the comments below this video or in F FCC

if you are a member of the Faster Fluency Conversation Club.

Actually, Jeanine, maybe before we get

into the discussion today, which is funny

misunderstandings in conversations in a foreign language.

Do you wanna just like introduce yourself to everyone?

Okay. Yeah.

A few people know me already, but I am an Aussie living

on the French Riviera.

Nice. And I've been here with just

over four years and my French is not good.

Not good.

It's

Getting better.

Yeah, it's getting better, actually.

Exciting news.

Tomorrow I am going for my, with my French course

I'm doing the test for a two level.

So there you go.

Good for you.

Yeah, good for you.

Good luck

With the test.

Yeah, thanks.

Right. Okay.

Yeah

Exactly. All of that.

Right. Okay, great.

So, so I think we'll have some

some good stories here about funny misunderstandings

in conversations in a foreign language.

As you might know, you guys listening, I, I speak French

I speak fluent French, but that doesn't mean

that everything goes perfectly all the time.

Just, I like, I'll share a story and Janine

I think you've got a story that you can share.

Yeah. As well.

This was like

it actually just happened yesterday and it was, so I called

I called a restaurant because I wanted to reserve lunch

for me and for three of my friends.

And so I called them up and I said, you know, oh, I'd, I'd

like to book a table for four people for, you know, 1230.

And the person on the phone, she's like, oh, for the

the Daily special.

And I was like, I, I don't, I was like

I don't for four people for 1230.

She's like, no, for the daily special, not the brunch.

And I was like, oh, okay, okay.

I get it.

Because the, the place is like, I did, first of all

I didn't understand why she was asking me for my order

over the phone when I was calling to book a table

but the place is a very popular brunch spot.

So I guess she, she wanted what she wanted to make sure

that I knew that I was booking for a lunch and not

for the brunch, but because like, I didn't, you know

like I was like, I don't know, like the context here

if I put it into context, I'm calling to book a table.

Why is she asking me for my order?

Like, I didn't un like I, I understood the words

but I didn't understand like what was happening

because there were just like no clues to tell me like

why is she asking me this question?

But then when she said, oh

it's not for the brunch, it's for lunch.

And get, that was what kind

of put it into context and I understood.

But I definitely was just like

I don't know what's happening here.

And yeah

so that was a story that happened like just yesterday.

And I would say despite living

in France for 20 years and speaking fluent French

you can still have these like opportunities where

you don't understand what's happening in the conversation

even if you understand the, the words and the language you

you have to like kinda maybe work it out from context.

But there we were missing some context there.

Yeah. I mean, I hate to say it, I think French

on the French have similar misunderstandings too.

Sure. As we read English as well.

Exactly.

I was like, if, if, if that conversation had happened

in English and I called up a restaurant

and said the same thing and they're like, oh

do you want the daily special?

I'd be like, I don't know, I haven't seen the menu yet.

I'll decide when I come to have lunch.

So yeah.

It's all about kind of putting it

into context despite the latest.

That's really important.

Yeah. Yeah.

But mine, mine is, you know, I'm

I'm sure lots of people will relate to this.

Yeah. And it's when you are saying

saying a word in the other language for me.

Yeah. Saying a word in French or a phrase.

Yeah. And I say it in my best pronunciation.

Yeah. Which I'm so sure is very good.

Right. And, and I say it and they go.

And so I say it again and they sayong

and I say it again and then they go, oh.

And repeat exactly what I said.

Right. I'm like, isn't that what I just said?

Yeah. And you're like, and they're like, no, and, and

And it's like, I've gotta try, try and try again.

Yeah. And you know

eventually it gets it and it, it's, these are

the very subtle differences sometimes with pronunciation.

Mm. But I have just, not to say anything against the French

but the French are very particular with their pronunciation.

Mm. Right.

I think with English that we're used to so

many different accents.

Right. And, you know, countries, so it's

we're more forgiving.

Right. And yeah.

And it's, I, well, you know

I don't know cuz I have a, another story which was

I would say a misunderstanding in English.

It wasn't me, it was, it was

with my ex-husband who is French

and we were in the US So, and

and so there was all the context necessary.

Let's say we were in at a restaurant

we had just arrived at the table.

The waiter came to ask, you know

for our drink order, you know, what would you like to drink?

I said, I'd, you know, I'll have just a glass of water.

And then my ex-husband

he said the same thing with his French accent.

And so you have all the context

but then the waiter just like

you kind of see his face, he's like

And then he starts having, he's like, maybe

maybe I can put some in a bowl

and maybe put it in a microwave and, and melts it.

And maybe, and I was like, and I was listening to him and I

you know, I was used to my hus, my ex-husband's accent.

And so I knew what he, I knew he ordered a glass

of water plus the context and I'm looking

at the waiter like, what are you talking about?

And then I understood.

I was like, oh my goodness.

The waiter thought that my husband asked

for a glass of butter and I was just like, what?

Like who orders a glass of butter in a restaurant?

Nobody. Yeah.

But a glass of water, which kind of that water butter.

Yeah. They do sound kind of similar in spoken English.

I was just like, are you serious?

Yeah, exactly.

I mean, you'd think he could work it

out. Yeah

Yeah.

Like he just asked for drinks, he could work it out.

Like he is probably not asking for a glass of butter.

Yeah. And especially like, I'd order a glass of water

there's probably a pretty high chance

that he's ordering the same thing.

And I, I'm just like, I don't know where he got a glass

of butter, like butter water.

I understand it sounds similar, but nope.

Context.

Seriously. Yeah, seriously.

Exactly that.

That's it.

So yeah.

So yeah, I would say any, any other funny stories

before we finish up that you wanna share?

Well

I have one that I haven't been caught out on this yet

but often when there's a conversation going on around me

or maybe I'm in a shop or something and I'll get the basics

of the conversation, but then the people keep talking like

I'm good for the first, I dunno, minute or two.

And then they keep talking and I go, oh yes, oh, okay.

You know?

Yeah. Yes.

You know, and I was like, oh no.

And so what I'm doing is I'm responding

to their, their energy, their body language

without actually understanding what they're saying.

Yeah. And, and it's, it's sort of like

I've gotta fake it until I make it right.

You know, just keep going.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I can understand.

Yeah.

But, but no

and nobody's ever called you out on it, so that's good.

No

No, I i I try to make it, keep it very light and go Okay

Yeah. Know, I understand.

Yeah. Right.

No, definitely.

I say that's alright.

Yeah. I, I'd say maybe if you're speaking a foreign language

and even if you speak the language very well, it's normal

you can have misunderstandings.

It's a, a normal part of communication with other people.

Okay. Don't worry too much about it, just, you know

like you said, try, try, try again.

You can try to work it out from the context

see what kind of clues can really help you figure it

out and yeah, just keep going.

So

Yeah.

All right.

Okay. Awesome.

It's all about communication and at the very

least it'll give you very funny stories to tell later.

Exactly. Like in a podcast.

Right. All right, well thank you very much, Janine.

Round of applause for your first podcast and thank you.

And like I said, yeah, and this is our first video podcast

so definitely leave us some comments

and tell us what you think about this format.

We're trying something new for a while.

So yeah, looking forward

to getting your feedback and thanks a lot Jan.