5A Speaking and Vocabulary Toning language down

□ I can tell the difference between positive and negative connotations and talk about honesty.

1 Read the comments. Which do you most agree with and why?

My friend is really frank about things. He likes to have his say and he always speaks his mind – he’s always upfront about things. He certainly doesn’t mince his words when it comes to giving feedback. He is not a person to beat around the bush, but people seem to respect him for that. At least you know where you stand with him.

Yes, I believe there’s a time and a place for saying exactly what you think, but it’s also true that there are times when you need to be a bit tactful or diplomatic and tone down your language. It’s a given that being brutally honest can put people’s backs up and you don’t get what you want from them. It can appear really rude at times too.

2 Look at the highlighted phrases in the comments. Which of them mean ...

1 saying exactly what you think?

2 saying something that may antagonise people?

3 rephrasing something more sensitively?

3 How would you tone down the language in these sentences? Replace the highlighted adjectives with the adjectives from the box or your own ideas.

(overly) assertive confident defensive insecure opinionated oversensitive resolute shy sincere straightforward trusting unapproachable vocal

1 He’s very controlling. He’s always telling everyone what to do.

He’s just confident and knows what he’s doing.

2 He’s loudmouthed. He never stops talking rubbish.

3 He’s gullible. He never questions anything.

4 He’s abrasive. He’s never polite to people, and puts everyone’s backs up.

5 He’s adamant. He always insists he’s right and he’s rather confrontational.

6 He’s aloof. He’s unfriendly and deliberately not talking to other people.

4 10.11 Study the Speaking box.

Then listen to Sami discussing his job with Omar and complete the phrases.

SPEAKING | Toning language down

Choose adjectives or rephrase in ways that are less abrupt, or have a more positive connotation, e.g.

inconsiderate – unkind confrontational – likes to face problems

Rephrasing negative comments

I wouldn’t say that. I think it’s more a 1 of them taking time to evaluate your work.

I’d be more 2 ___ to say that it’s a challenge.

That’s one way of 3 ___ it.

Surely that’s an 4 ___ . He’s just getting up to speed.

I don’t think that’s 5 ___ helpful. It might be better ...

That’s a bit 6 ___ , don’t you think?

It might be a little 7 ___ at times, but generally ...

I 8 ___ it seems rather complex, but ...

5 Reply to the statements trying to tone the language down. Then, in pairs, role-play two situations. Student A go to page 75.

Student B go to page 76.

1 The food in that restaurant was utterly revolting!

I admit it wasn’t the best meal of my life, but it could have been worse.

2 His last book was an absolute joke!

3 It was totally inconsiderate of her to keep us waiting.

6 REFLECT | Values In pairs, give examples of situations when it might be better to be brutally honest and when it might be better to tone down your language.