Re: Dialects in communication

From: markmohrfield <markmohrfield_at_4Vx3RP7i09XJlIdzBSFHvDfmr_eQXhxZP4GFJzwmB4pdTVLbqk8iYSfzAKsMRg>
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2009 01:03:27 -0000

Incidently, I was browsing the web about a month ago and came upon this, which is apparantly originally from a book by a French writer named Tony Mayer:

"The habit of indirection in speech, combined with probity of action, gave English life its savor and its interest. Mayer provided a brief interpretive key for the unwary:

I may be wrong—I am absolutely sure.
I don't know much about—I am a specialist in. No trouble at all—What a burden!
We must keep in touch—Good-bye forever.
Must you go?—At last!
Not too bad—Absolutely wonderful."   

                                                  Mark Mohrfield