What happens when we unpackage ELT scripts (or don't package them to start with)? I decided to ask the local butcher... Image: Lulu Vision
Here's the conversation at the butcher shop, as it happened:
B: You right?
M: Um, pretty sure that lady over there was before me.
B: Oh --
W: -- Thanks for that.
M: No worries --
B: -- What can I get you?
[3-4 minutes later]
B: Right then.
M: Yeah, I'm after some crumbed chicken?
B: Yep, it's over here -- if you could just pop around --
M: -- Okay.
B: Right, now we've got the crumbed chicken breast here, and also some thighs.
M: Um [pauses]... think I'll go some of the breast.
B: Yep --
M: -- Hang on a sec, sorry if this sounds stupid, but what's the difference between the breast and the thighs?
B: Right, well, the thighs tend to be a bit juicier, I reckon, though you've got to be a bit more careful when you cook them, as they're thicker. So, you know, cook them a bit longer, on low heat, make sure they're cooked all the way through.
M: Oh, okay. I'll grab... say four of the thighs then?
B: Yeah sure. They're on special at the moment: six for the price of five --
M: -- Oh yeah, they are, too --
B: -- so do you want to grab half a dozen?
M: Why not. Yep.
B: No probs at all...
[2-3 minutes later]
B: There you go then. Anything else I can get for you?
M: Cheers -- no that's fine for today. How much am I up for, then?
B: Um... hang on -- yep: seven eighty.
M: Eftpos okay?
B: Yep, whack your card in there and away you go.
[1 minute later]
M: Okay, thanks for that.
B: You have yourself a great day.
M: Yeah, you too. Bye.
B: See you.
So how does this strike you as being different from a lot (or most) of the conversation scripts we end up putting in front of English language learners?
=D
