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Exercise 9: Simulation Exercises for Giving Compliments

 

Situation 1

When you visit your friend at his apartment, he shows you the new computer he has just bought. It’s the newest model and very fast. You are impressed and say:

 

1. You: (give compliments)

Friend : いやあ、僕もけっこう気に入ってるんだよ。 Iyaa, bokumo kekkou kini itterundayo.

2. You: (reinforce your compliment)

Friend: そう？ありがとう。 Sou? Arigatou.

Situation 2

You borrowed and read your teacher’s book. It was very interesting and you learned a lot. As you visit her office to return the book, you compliment her on her book, as well as thanking her for lending it to you.

3. You:

Teacher: あ、そう、どうだった？ A, sou, dou data?

4. You：

Teacher: それはよかった。 Sorewa yokatta.

 


Situation 3

You are invited to have dinner with your friend’s family. They have clearly gone to great effort to please you. For example, the table is set most elegantly. In addition, the family members are very nice to you, and you enjoy both the meal and the conversation. In this situation, what would you compliment them for and how would you say it? Enter into the box below what you would say just as if you were speaking directly to them.

5. You:

A family member: 私たちも今日はほんとに楽しかったわ。 Watashitachimo kyouwa hontoni tanoshikattawa.

6. You:

A family member: またいつでも遊びにいらっしゃい。 Mata itsudemo asobini irasshai.

 


Self Evaluation

Listen to a sample dialogue for each of the situations above. Fill in the chart below with your evaluation, comparing the three sample dialogues to what you wrote in terms of the strategies used.

Sample Dialogue 1: New computer situation    


Sample Dialogue 2: Book situation     


Sample Dialogue 3: Family visit situation    

 

 

Strategies  --->

 

Using an appropriate level of politeness

Using appropriate adjectives/ descriptions

Using an appropriate topic/phrasing

 

Sample Dialogue 1

Using the plain form (appropriate for a friend of equal status)

Atarashiihayai, gamenga kirei (appropriate for describing a new computer)

A new computer (appropriate)

Evaluation of your compliments in Situation 1

(Compare your compliments in Situation 1 above to those in sample dialogue 1, and   write an evaluation of your compliments in the boxes.)

 

8.

 

9.

 

 

Sample Dialogue 2

Using the polite desu/masu form (appropriate for a teacher)

 Omoshiroi, tameni naru (appropriate for describing a teacher’s book)

Stressing the benefit to the student (appropriate phrasing for compliments on performance given from someone lower to higher in status)

Evaluation of your compliments in Situation 2

(Compare your compliments in Situation 2 above to those in sample dialogue 2, and   write an evaluation of your compliments in the boxes.)

10.

11.

 

Sample Dialogue 3

Using the polite desu/masu form (appropriate for a friend’s family)

 Oishii, omoshiroi (appropriate for describing a meal and converstation)

 Hospitality, meal, conversation (appropriate)

Evaluation of your compliments in Situation 3

(Compare your compliments in Situation 3 above to those in sample dialogue 3, and   write an evaluation of your compliments in the boxes.)

14.

 

View Transcript of Sample Dialogue 1

View Transcript of Sample Dialogue 2

View Transcript of Sample Dialogue 3

Listen to Another Dialogue in Situation 1   

View Transcript

Listen to Another Dialogue in Situation 2   

View Transcript

Listen to Another Dialogue in Situation 3   

View Transcript

Your section (if applicable)/Your last name, Your first name:
Example: (in a box) 010/Smith, John

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