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Encountering the Communicative Event

Invitation Sequences

 

Complete the following activities to learn more about how invitations occur in Spanish.


A very interesting aspect of the invitation sequence is the number of times that the invitation is extended in Spanish. The three different conversations below each represent an invitation sequence between friends in which one is inviting the other to a party. Play each of the conversations below in order to better understand invitation sequences in English and Spanish. The varieties of Spanish represent Spain (Conversación 2) and Venezuela (Conversación 3). Pay special attention to the number of times the request is made in each case and the type of responses given.
 

Conversación 1

A Party this Weekend

How many times does Kelly (right) invite Lisa (left), or insist that she come to the party?

What is Kelly's response when she finds out that Lisa cannot make it?

Describe your impression of this invitation sequence. Was it pragmatically appropriate? Why or why not?

Conversación 2

Una fiesta este fin de semana en España


How many times does Iker (left) invite Gemma (right), or insist that she come to the party?

What is Iker's response when she finds out that Gemma cannot make it?

Describe your impression of this invitation sequence. Was it pragmatically appropriate? Why or why not?

Conversación 3

Una fiesta este fin de semana en Venezuela


How many times does Laura (right) invite Deya (left), or insist that she come to the party?

What is Laura's response when she finds out that Deya cannot make it?

Describe your impression of this invitation sequence. Was it pragmatically appropriate? Why or why not?

 

Synthesis

Based on these three conversations from different language varieties, what can you conclude about extending invitations in Spanish?

What is the role of insistence in an invitation refusal sequence? Why?

Was the outcome of all three situations the same? Why or why not?

 

 
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