Page 19 - English_F5

English

Activity 1.5 Participating in discussions on various topical issues

(a) Study carefully the following statements. Then, say what the speaker assumes the
hearer knows.
1. When are you planning to visit your grandparents?
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2. Have you told your parents about your decision?
3. I finished my homework before watching TV.
4. What did your friends think about the party?
5. We haven’t returned the book yet.
6. My interview went well.
7. She is going to pass the exam this time.
8. He will be joining us for dinner tonight.
9. Why did you change your mind about the trip?
10. When did you decide to start learning the guitar?
11. How long have you been living in this neighbourhood?
12. Email us your opinion on the new school policy.
13. Where did you find the keys to the car?
14. We finished your chores yesterday.
15. What do you think about the upcoming school event?

DID YOU ?
KNOW

All the 15 statements in Activity 1.5 (a) contain presuppositions. A presupposition
refers to an implicit assumption or belief that underlies the meaning of a statement,
question, or conversation. It is what the speaker assumes to be true and that it
is known by the hearer, often without explicitly stating it. For example, in the
sentence “Lucy forgot to submit her homework” the presupposition is that Lucy
had homework that she was supposed to submit.

Presuppositions can shape how we interpret language and can influence the
direction of the conversation. They are important in the following ways:

Implicit communication: They allow for more efficient communication by letting
speakers convey information indirectly. They can help in maintaining social norms
and politeness, as well as in expressing complex ideas concisely.

Inference and understanding: Presuppositions offer context and background
information that listeners or readers use to make inferences and understand the
intended meaning behind statements. Understanding presuppositions helps in
interpreting accurately the speaker’s or writer’s intended message.

Form Five 10 Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE)

24/06/2024 22:26
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