If you are speaking to someone whose English is not so good and you don't un!
Question: Generally I will.
However, I've also noticed many people don't understand foreigners because they assume they won't. That is to say the inability to understand often is not because the foreigner isn't speaking proper English but rather because the English speaker somehow tunes them out based on prejudice.
I first noticed this in the hotel industry. A Japanese man was settling the account for a group of people so a manager asked me to sit with them as I'd prepared the account. The man would say something in perfectly good English and she would ask me what he said. I would tell her and also tell her he said it in English. I felt very embarrassed that she did this.
Much of what is said is contextual in any event. If you don't understand the exact words it is often easy to determine meaning simply from the situation.
Answers: Generally I will.
However, I've also noticed many people don't understand foreigners because they assume they won't. That is to say the inability to understand often is not because the foreigner isn't speaking proper English but rather because the English speaker somehow tunes them out based on prejudice.
I first noticed this in the hotel industry. A Japanese man was settling the account for a group of people so a manager asked me to sit with them as I'd prepared the account. The man would say something in perfectly good English and she would ask me what he said. I would tell her and also tell her he said it in English. I felt very embarrassed that she did this.
Much of what is said is contextual in any event. If you don't understand the exact words it is often easy to determine meaning simply from the situation.
i shrug and laugh akwardly
I pretend to understand and I ask what a lot
I tell them I can't understand.
I'll ask them to repeat themselves. I do not have the best hearing, but I can usually get it when they say it again and I am looking at their mouths move.
sure i will tell them .
if it's important i'll apologize and tell them. (after about 4-5 tries)
I just pretend - like the Viatnamese people who do your nails, they always try to talk to me with thier strong accent and I don't understand a word they say!
No. You tell them to explain more because you dont understand. If you dont what is the point of speaking to them in the first place if you wont listen?
I live a country where alot of people dont speak english so during tourist season I have heard many english speaking people try to help someone that doesnt speak it.
I just say, I don't understand what your are saying.
Cant pretend because they might be telling me something really important.:)
I try really hard to understand, because i dont like them looking frustrated, i guess i'm a softy really..
If I really need to understand I ask them to repeat themselves. If it is just banter then I laugh along and nod and do all the usual nonsense!!
i tell them : " no offence , but your english is a bit weak , i suggest taking english lessons or you can watch many english movies, i'm sorry if ur hurt but im just telling you this for your own good"
I pretend to understand people who speak English as their first language. It is just easier that way
i'll tell them...
'sorry sir, i dont speak your language'
Normally I would try to rephrase with gestures and hand movements and make an attempt to speculate what he is trying to say. If all fail, I just spread out my hands with palms upwards , shrug my shoulders , give a smile and say "sorry".
I will repeat his words and to rephrase his words to clarify his points
If its an important issue, I'll tell them that I didn't understand, but softly without hurting them....
If its not an important issue, I won't say anything and I'll just pretend like I understood that....
Have a great day :-)
I help out the person with their communication when their English isn't that good. But for the most part I understand them
I love to use hand gestures, and sounds, smiles etc. Eventually we get our points across and share a few laughs along the way. :)
I try my best. then say sorry trying to use my hands to communicate by saying I dont understand.
I try to be a friend and help them
You've got to tell them you don't understand, if you pretend to understand you might end up agreeing to marry their sister or something.