Speaking English is not only about using proper grammar。 To use English effectively, you need to understand the culture in which it is spoken。 Here are a number of important tips to remember when speaking English in the United States。
Most Americans only speak English: While it is true that more and more Americans speak Spanish, most Americans only speak English。 Don‘t expect them to understand your native language。
Americans have difficulties understanding foreign accents: Many Americans are not used to foreign accents。 This requires patience from both of you!
美国人理解外国口音有困难:很多美国人不习惯外国口音,所以你们交谈双方都需要有耐心。
Conversation Tips
交谈沟通秘籍
Speak about location: Americans love to talk about location。 When speaking to a stranger, ask them where they are from and then make a connection with that place。 For example: “Oh, I have a friend who studied in Los Angeles。 He says it‘s a beautiful place to live。” Most Americans will then willingly talk about their experiences living or visiting that particular city or area。
Talk about work: Americans commonly ask “What do you do?”。 It‘s not considered impolite (as in some countries) and is a popular topic of discussion between strangers。
谈论工作:美国人通常会问“What do you do?”在某些国家会被认为这是不礼貌的,但美国不是的,这只是陌生人之间聊天的一个流行话题。
Talk about sports: Americans love sports! However, they love American sports。 When speaking about football, most Americans understand “American Football”, not soccer。
Be careful when expressing ideas about race, religion or other sensitive topics: The United States is a multi-cultural society。 Especially in the last few years, Americans are trying very hard to be sensitive to other cultures and ideas。 Talking about sensitive topics like religion or beliefs, is often avoided in order to be sure not to offend someone of a different belief system。 This is often referred to as being “politically correct”。
Many Americans prefer first names: Americans often prefer using first names, even when dealing with people in very different positions。 Americans will generally say, “Call me Tom。” and then expect you to remain on a first name basis。
Americans prefer informal: In general, Americans prefer informal greetings and using first names or nicknames when speaking with colleagues and acquaintances。
Always shake hands: Americans shake hands when greeting each other。 This is true for both men and women。 Other forms of greeting such as kissing on the cheeks, etc。, is generally not appreciated。
常握手:美国人相互致意的时候喜欢握手,这是男女通用的。其他的比如亲吻脸颊之类的方式是非常不推荐的。
Look your partner in the eye: Americans look each other in the eyes when they are speaking as a way of showing that they are sincere。
看对方的眼睛:美国人想要表达关注的时候会在说话的时候看着对方的眼睛。
Don‘t hold hands: Same sex friends do not usually hold hands or put their arms around each other in public in the United States。
别拉手:在美国,同性朋友们在公共场合不太会手拉手或者挽住对方的胳膊。
Smoking is Out!Smoking, even in public places, is strongly disapproved of by most Americans in the modern United States。