XII Международная студенческая научная конференция Студенческий научный форум - 2020

The English people are obsessed with The Weather, that is why their conversations are often started with this topic. But it does not mean that they are really interested in weather. It is a kind of “grooming or social talk” aimed to help overcome natural reserve and actually talk to each other. There are different ways to start a conversation, for example “Lovely day, isn’t it?”, “What strange weather we’re having!”, “It doesn’t look like it’s going to stop raining today”, “Ooh, isn’t it cold?”, “Still raining, eh?”.Usually these starters are phrased as questions or with an interrogative intonation because they require a response. And giving a response is the most important here. Any mumbled confirmation or even near-repetition, as in ‘Yes, isn’t it?’ will doas a response.

All English weather conversations have a distinctive structure, an unmistakable rhythmic pattern:

Context rule. You can speak on weather only in three contexts: when you greet your interlocutor, when you need to start a conversation on other matters, when conversation on other matters falters, and there is an awkward silence.

The Agreement Rule. Any starter requires the response, but you should keep in mind that your response must also express agreement, as in “Yes, isn’t it?” or “Mmm, very hot”. Otherwise it is a serious breach of etiquette.

Exceptions to the Agreement Rule. You must always agree with the statements of your interlocutor about the weather, but it does not mean that you cannot express your own opinion. In this case an appropriate response to “Ooh, isn’t it cold?”, would be ‘Yes, but I really rather like this sort of weather – quite invigorating, don’t you think?” or “Yes, but you know I don’t tend to notice the cold much – this feels quite warm to me”.

Gossip

The English are certainly a nation of gossips. About two-thirds of conversation time is entirely devoted to social topics such as who is doing what with whom; who is “in”, who is “out” and why; how to deal with difficult social situations; the behaviour and relationships of friends, family and celebrities; our own problems with family, friends, lovers, colleagues and neighbours; the minutiae of everyday social life – in a word: gossip.The English usually express their opinions or feelings with the intonation, rather than directly. For gossiping your tone should be high and quick, or sometimes it can be a whisper, but always animated. It should sound surprising or scandalous, even if it is not so. English women pay much attention to details telling the gossip unlike the men. But they also believe that there must be a good and enthusiastic audience, who give them the desired feedback. They expect them to be shocked and express it with such phrases as “NO! Really?” or “Oh my GOD!”.

Here some expressions for English gossip:

Guess what?

Listen, you know what I heard?

There is a rumour / it is rumoured / people say…

NO! Really? / Oh, dear.

They are going to separate.

It is going to be her third marriage, besides, he is five years her junior.

Oh, it is ridiculous / scandalous. / I can hardly believe it.

There is talk they have been on these terms for a year already.

I am shocked / totally embarrassed.

Fancy that!