Polite English: How to ask people to repeat themselves

TRANSCRIPT

Okay, so let's have a look at some of the words you can use to deal with this situation. All right? So, a very useful single word is just to say: "Sorry?" with a sort of rising in the voice. Question: "Sorry? Sorry?" And also, I've put body language at the bottom here, but it's quite important. You can sort of go like this, and say: "Sorry?" and lean towards them a little bit with your hand by your ear. So especially if they also are not English... If their first language is not English, they will understand from this that you didn't understand what they said. So a little bit of body language helps as well. So: "Sorry?" is very useful and polite, because we need it to be polite as well. So, polite. So: "Sorry?" is a polite way of asking someone to repeat.

At one time, there was also the word: "Pardon?" which is a little bit old fashioned now. So, to say: "Pardon?" it's a little... It used to be very polite, and children were taught to say: "Pardon?" but now it's a little bit old fashioned, and people might laugh at you if you use: "Pardon?" So, see what other people say to you, and then you can follow what they say, but "Pardon?" is a little bit old now.

Okay, now things not to say which are not polite. You don't just say: "What?" because that is rather rude. So, don't say: "What? What?" Very rude, especially with a loud voice and making a funny face. "What?" Not very nice at all, so don't say: "What?" And don't say things like: "Eh? Eh?" A lot of English people might say: "Eh?" but that's not polite either. So... Or: "Uh?" that's not polite either, just to say: "Uh? Uh?" No.

Okay, so the polite way, really, as one word is just to say: "Sorry?" and then the person will probably understand you need them to say it again. But there are longer sentences you can use as well, in addition to: "Sorry?" just to give you a wider range of options. And the three main things about what... The way we all speak is clarity: what we say should be clear. I hope I'm being clear in this lesson. So, that's the adjective "clear", and the noun is "clarity". Clarity of speech. Okay? So it must be clear. The pace or the speed. If people speak very quickly, it's difficult to follow what they're saying; to understand what they're saying. So the pace should be fairly slow and regular. Okay. And the volume, how loud or quiet somebody is. If someone speaks very quietly... You probably can't hear me at the moment. So some people are a bit shy, and they don't speak very loud, loudly. So the volume, how loud people are is important. So sometimes you need to ask somebody to speak more loudly, so we have different sentences for these.

[marilenaborsari]

In my opinion your lessons are perfect. You speak slowly and also clearly! Thanks a lot!!

[nanciazevedocavaco]

Thank you so much teacher Gill, You are the best.

[alexcc]

Gill you're an incredible teacher, Thank you very much

[leonardofonseca]

lovely lady, i love the way she explains.

[peqeniita]

We need more lessons from you! Thank you.

[alfie]

This lady is brilliant, I'm English and I can say what she tells you is spot on 👍

[hakiimdz]

for me you are best best best teacher i understand all what you said

[kaweejay]

I love the pace and clarity of your speaking. It's a reason why I love to listen to the British accent.

[takehikomori]

The word "sorry" isn't only simple but useful when I want to remain polite. Plus, it's also important to learn both polite & rude words & expressions. Anyway, thanks for sharing a great English lesson! I still need your great help for my English!

[ioanapopescu]

Dear Gill, thank you so much for your lessons. In this day and age I really appreciate it when someone takes the time to make a video to help some random strangers. You have a soothing voice and your explanations are always insightful. Thank you so much, I am looking forward to your next videos!

[rajodumaify]

Gill, you are so good teacher and so polite! You teach English and fine manners.

[richmarmermida]

I was lucky because U found out this video. And now I gained new phrases that I can use when I speak English with my friends. Now, I would be polite enough by using these phrases. Thank you.

[sinetarasena]

I used "what?" once when I was talking with the people in our first meeting. I didn't know that it's rude. Thank you for making this vdo.

[ss]

Very useful, and also she is ELEGANT.THANKS

[egornat]

I love your accent, it's a pleasure to listen to you! 😀 Thank you for your lesson, it's so interesting and useful!

[able]

So clear
Easy to understand her
So useful to listen to her
Thanks Gill

[puneetpareek]

oh my goodness..I just lv d lady..my lord..u r one of the most graceful person I've ever seen...just lv d way u speak n taught d lesson...

[shimonyalan]

Hello Gill, I’d like to say that your lessons are perfect. It’s easy to understand you!😊

[ThePhyze]

I really like the way you teach some English sentences Madam..you made it so clear, so easy to understand. Besides that, you always emphasized the needs to be polite. Thank you very much Madam.

[emanusaurus]

Thank you so much for this video. I loved that you always give examples so that there is no place for misunderstanding. I am one of your followers now