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Monday, May 7, 2012

Written into a dialogue

Today my coworker, Robin, asked me to edit a dialogue she had written. I took the sheet of paper from her and immediately smiled as I looked at the text; she had used mine and Jonathan's names for the speakers. And after reading it through, I giggled. I find it quite humorous and especially think the last two lines are amusing. Robin told me that a Seoul newspaper has asked our textbook office to create some English dialogues and grammar exercises for their language-learning section. So if you happen to pick up that particular newspaper and see mine and Jonathan's names in it, now you'll know why. Without further ado, here's what Robin wrote:
Setting: Alison is looking through pictures to choose one for her resume. She asks Jonathan to help her pick one.
A: Which picture do you think is better? I should choose one for my resume.
J: They all look the same to me.
A: They are very different. Look at them carefully.
J: OK. Mmm. I like this one because you look more natural. I think it looks just like you.
A: What do you mean it looks like me?
J: You don't have that heavy makeup on in it. So it looks more natural.
A: But don't you think this picture looks more professional and charming?
J: You should use this one so interviewers can recognize you.
A: What? I think I'll quit wearing makeup and try to look natural like a primitive person.
J: Let's not take it that far.
I've never told Robin that I don't wear makeup, but I'm pretty sure she's figured it out on her own. I've never been referred to as a primitive person before, but I suppose I must be since I don't wear any makeup. :)

Note: For any of you current or former SDALI teachers who find this dialogue semi-familiar, it was improvised from the dialogue between Jamal and Ally on p. 140 of the You Too Can Speak English Book 4 textbook.

4 comments:

  1. Quite the conversation. Just don't go too heavy on the makeup, eh?

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  2. Haha. I particularly liked the "You should use this one so interviewers can recognize you," line. :) That's fun. I didn't realize they have language-learning materials in their newspaper. That's pretty cool! Ours should learn from their example.

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    1. Yeah, Christen, I thought that was pretty interesting, too. Apparently they have English, Japanese and Chinese materials in the language-learning section (maybe more, too). Pretty neat!

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