710 - Doubting One’s Language Use

Not sure how to say what you’re not sure how to say? Listen to this episode and find out how to express your doubts in English.
Slow dialogue: 1:23
Explanations: 3:24
Fast dialogue: 17:23
Flora: Can you help me? I’m working on this email to Emil and I’m having trouble coming up with the right words in French.
Andy: My French isn’t much better than yours, but I’ll give it a shot.
Flora: Okay, read this sentence for me. What I want to know is if that is a suitable way to say that I’m sick, but that I’m not seriously ill.
Andy: Word choice can be tricky, but I think that’s the appropriate word, with the right meaning and the right connotations.
Flora: Okay, now read this sentence. It doesn’t sound right to me. Is this the right usage of the word “faire”? I really doubt it.
Andy: That’s because you’re using the wrong form of the verb, I think. Now if only I can think of the correct form. My French is really, really rusty.
Flora: Now that you’ve pointed out the problem, I can look it up later. What about this paragraph? The last sentence sounds awkward to me.
Andy: It sounds okay to me, but then again, I’m not a native speaker.
Flora: Ugh, this is so frustrating! It’s such a production every time I write him an email.
Andy: Maybe Emil will learn English and your troubles will be over.
Flora: Yes and maybe monkeys will fly out of my butt!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse