N&V-L Digests 453 - 459
February 1999

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----------------------------------- N&V-L Digest 453 - 11 February 1999 -----------------------------------

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There are 7 messages in this digest.

1. New telephone numbers in Argentina 2. Workshop on reading with William McGrabe 3. FAAPI 'Comision Directiva' 4. Circle dancing 5. Love: The one Creative Force 6. A great new resource 7. Something light to start the ball rolling ...

** ------------------------------------- 1. New telephone numbers in Argentina -------------------------------------

The following reminder re phone numbers in Argentina is aimed primarily at list members living outside Argentina.

The following information is for all providers who have phone or fax contact with clients in Argentina.

Argentina changed its phone/fax numbers on 24 January 1999. There will be a transitional period (3 to 6 months) during which both the old number and the new number will function.

Under the new numbering scheme:

* ALL numbers will have a 4 put in front of them. A number which is currently xxx-xxxx locally will become 4-xxx-xxxx locally.

* Area codes have been divided into 3 zones.

Zone One: Capital Federal and Suburbs

Here the digit 1 will have to be added for National and International calls. Whereas at present to call Buenos Aires from the Provinces you simply dial 01-xxx-xxxx, you will have to dial 0(1)1-(4)-xxx-xxxx, that is inserting both a (1) and a (4)

Zone Two: Southern region

The digit 2 will have to be added for National and International calls. A number in La Plata which at present is 021-xx-xxxx will become 0(2)21-(4)-xx-xxxx. Other towns in this zone are Mar del Plata where the area code 023 becomes 0(2)23 and Bahia Blanca where the area code 091 becomes 0(2)91.

Zone Three: Northern region

The digit 3 will have to be added for National and International calls. A number in Cordoba which at present is 051-xx-xxxx will become 0(3)51-(4)-xx-xxxx. Other towns in this zone include Resistencia where the area code 0722 becomes 0(3)722, Tucuman where the area code 081 becomes 0(3)81 and Rosario where the area code 041 becomes 0(3)41.

* At present when calling from the UK (or any other country outside Argentina) you currently dial 0054-1-xxx-xxxx for phone numbers in the city of Buenos Aires. Under the new system you will have to dial 0054-(1)-1-(4)-xxx-xxxx. Similar modifications will have to be made for the rest of the country, inserting an extra (2) or (3) after the 0054 as appropriate to the Southern or Northern zone.

Posted by: N&V-L List Editor mailto:me@eltnewsandviews.com.ar

** ------------------------------------------- 2. Workshop on reading with William McGrabe -------------------------------------------

William Grabe (N.A.U.) is coming to Argentina. He will be in the Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Pcia. de Bs.As. - Tandil on April 19 and 20, 1999. His workshop will be on reading. I wanted to post this as soon as possibleand I'll post full information in a few days.

Posted by: Monica Pugliese English Coordinator U.N.C.P.B.A. Mailto:pugliese@necsus.com.ar

** ---------------------------- 3. FAAPI 'Comision Directiva' -----------------------------

The Federacion Argentina de Asociaciones de Profesores de Ingles has announced its new 'Comision Directiva'.

President:

Ma. Cristina Thomson de Grondona White Vuelta de Obligado 1923 6 "B" (1428) Buenos Aires Telfax: 011/4784-8791 e-mail: mcthom@einstein.com.ar

Secretary:

Ana María Pettinari de Torres Las Heras 71 Piso 1º "D" 8000 Bahía Blanca Telfax. 0291/4563166

Treasurer:

Liliana Forno de Molina Bolívar 671 5000 Córdoba Telfax: 0351/4231138

'Vocales Titulares':

Mario López Barrios Antártida 3628 Bo. Matienzo (5010) CORDOBA ( 0351/4658507 lopez@unsj.edu.ar

Marta Benedetti Pellegrini 709 4º. "C" 3200 Concordia Entre Ríos Tel. 0345/4211350 e-mail: benedettim@fcal.uner.edu.ar

'Vocales Suplentes'

Fanny Díaz Cancellieri Rondeau 1060 4000 San Miguel de Tucumán Tel 0381/4245207 Fax. 0381/4310171

Nora Séculi Rioja 742 PB "B" 2000 Rosario Sta. Fe Telfax: 0341/4473214 Part. San Martín 507 Piso 8º. Depto 3. Tel. 0341/4400624 e-mail: seculi@citynet.net.ar

'Revisoras de Cuentas':

Ma. Cristina Senín de García Los Ebanos 602 3 Cerritos 4400 Salta Tel. 0387/4396984 e-mail: crisenin@arnet.com.ar

Roxana Embon Urquiza 472 3260 Concepciín del Uruguay Tel: 03442/431131

FAAPI's website can be visited at http://sunsj.unsj.edu.ar/faapi/faapi.htm

Posted by: Mario Lopez barrios mailto:lopez@unsj.edu.ar

** ----------------- 4. Circle dancing -----------------

Peter Vallance - Circle Dance Teacher and Story Teller (Findorn Scotland) - will be offering sessions and training during his visit from Feb. 10 to March 10.

Contact: Maria Marta Suarez from IACA (Instituto Argentino de Creatividad en el Aprendizaje). Billinghurst 1741 (1425) Bs. As.Tel/Ph: 4821-0280. E-mail: iaca@mbox.com.ar

Posted by: Maria Marta Suarez mailto:iaca@mbox.servicenet.com.ar

** ------------------------------- 5. Love: The one Creative Force -------------------------------

During my holidays I read a lot and among all the reading I found this short story that I think it might be worth of sharing with all colleagues.

The book where I took it from is "Chicken soup for the soul" by Jack Canfiel and Mark Victor Hansen.

Love: The one Creative Force. ------------------------------------------

A college professor had his sociology class go into the Baltimore slums to get case histories of 200 young boys. They were asked to write an evaluation of each boy's future. In every case the students wrote: "He hasn't got a chance. Twenty-five years later another sociology professor came across the earlier study. He had his students follow up on the project to see what had happened to these boys. With the exception of 20 boys who had moved away or died, the students learned that 176 of the remaining 180 had achieved more than ordinary success as lawyers, doctors and businessmen. The professor was astounded and decided to pursue the matter further. Fortunately, all the men were in the area and he was able to ask each one, "How do you account for your success?"In each case the reply came with feeling, "There was a teacher." The teacher was still alive, so he sought her out and asked the old but still alert lady what magic formula she had used to pull these boys out of the slums into successful achievement. The teacher's eyes sparkled and her lips broke into a gentle smile. "It's really simple."she said. "I loved those boys".

A good working year for everybody

Posted by: Maria Cristina Araujo mailto:connie@sion.com

** ----------------------- 6. A great new resource -----------------------

I recently came across a book shopping search engine that scans bookseller databases to find new, used, rare, and out of print books.

Have a look at http://www.bookfinder.com/ and check it out - it's a useful resource!

Posted by: Martin Eayrs mailto:me@eltnewsandviews.com.ar

** ------------------------------------------------ 7. Something light to start the ball rolling ... ------------------------------------------------

Things to ponder over while you're getting ready for a new school year ...

There's no egg in eggplant, no ham in hamburger, neither apple nor pine in pineapples. English muffins weren't invented in England or French fries in France! Sweetmeats are candies, while sweetbreads, which aren't sweet, are meat. English has many paradoxes. We find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig! And why is it that writers write, but fingers don't fing, grocers don't groce, and hammers don't ham? If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn't the plural of booth beeth? One goose, two geese, so why not one moose, two meese? If teachers taught, why not preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? In what other language do people recite at a play, and play at a recital? Ship by truck and send cargo by ship? Have noses that run and feet that smell? Park on driveways and drive on parkways? How can a slim chance and a fat chance mean the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites? How can overlook and oversee be opposites while quite a lot and quite a few are alike? Have you ever noticed that we talk about certain things only when they are absent? Have you ever seen a horseful carriage or a strapful gown? Met a sung hero or experienced requited love? Have you ever met someone who was quisitive, gruntled, ruly, or peccable? And where are all those people who are spring chickens and who would actually hurt a fly? You have to marvel at the uniqueness of a language in which your house can burn up as it burns down, in which you fill in a form by filling it out, and in which an alarm goes off by going on. And when I wind up my watch, I start it, but when I wind this essay up, I end it!

Enjoy!

Posted by: Cristina Gallo Neuquen, Argentina mailto:crista@arnet.com.ar

**

end

----------------------------------- N&V-L Digest 454 - 16 February 1999 -----------------------------------

There is 1 messages in this digest.

** -------------------- 1. Florencia Chaudet --------------------

The President of FAAPI, Maria Cristina Thomson, has just informed me that Florencia Chaudet, founder member and for a long time president of FAAPI, died today in Cordoba. Apparently 'it was totally unexpected; as a matter of fact she was making plans to go away on holiday after attending a course in Literature in Los Cocos'.

I wanted to put this out as soon as possible. I am sure that all list members will want to join me in extending consolations to friends and family at this difficult time.

Martin Eayrs

Posted by: N&V-L List Editor mailto:me@eltnewsandviews.com.ar

**

end

----------------------------------- N&V-L Digest 455 - 22 February 1999 -----------------------------------

There are 4 messages in this digest.

1. N&V-L back online 2. APIBA Event date change 3. IATEFL Edinburgh 4. Events and conferences

** -------------------- 1. N&V-L back online ---------------------

Welcome back to N&V-L. The list is now fully functional, and waiting for your postings.

Post your reviews, calls for conference papers, advance warning of seminars in the region, descriptions of new products, teaching ideas and queries, language doubts, etc.

There's nothing wrong with lurking, but lists get interesting when list members get involved. So post your news, share your views and let's all have a great new year.

Posted by: N&V-L List Editor mailto:me@eltnewsandviews.com.ar

** --------------------------- 2. APIBA Event date change ---------------------------

I recently posted details of an event, "The Future of Teacher Education" organised by APIBA (the Buenos Aires English Teachers' Association. and scheduled for 23/24 April, 1999

The organisers have now informed me that they have been obliged to change the dates of this event. They are shortly meeting to fix a new date which I shall announce here as soon as I have it but I wanted to let list members know as soon as possible.

Posted by: N&V-L List Editor mailto:me@eltnewsandviews.com.ar

** ------------------- 3. IATEFL Edinburgh -------------------

If any list member is intending to be present at this year's IATEFL Conference in Edinburgh and is interested in getting together for a drink and a bite to eat please let me know as soon as possible.

I am hoping to arrange an N&V-L get together at a convenient time, which will permit N&V-L members in different countries - who only know each other through the list - to meet up face to face.

If interested, mail me at <me@eltnewsandviews.com.ar>.

Posted by: N&V-L List Editor mailto:me@eltnewsandviews.com.ar

** ------------------------- 4. Events and conferences -------------------------

N&V-L list members are invited to send us information about events they are planning this year (talks, workshops and conferences). We shall be happy to publish this information a) on N&V-L; b) in our ELT News & Views ELT Calendar centrespread* and c) on our website at http://www.eltnewsandviews.com.ar/calendar/calendar.html. This is a free service for teachers of English and there is no charge.

[* For inclusion in the March 99 issue information must arrive before 25th March 1999, by email or by fax to: 54-11-4375-3944]

Posted by: N&V-L List Editor mailto:me@eltnewsandviews.com.ar

**

end

----------------------------------- N&V-L Digest 456 - 23 February 1999 -----------------------------------

There are 3 messages in this digest.

1. Online business English learning program trial 2. Two Day Seminar For EGB and Polimodal 3. Looking for APIBA and more

** ------------------------------------------------- 1. Online business English learning program trial -------------------------------------------------

Great to see News & Views back online! If anyone is interested in participating in an online business English learning program trial, we have room for a few more people during our beta testing in March. This is a great way to introduce yourself to online learning and give helpful feedback to the course designer. Most of our participants are instructors who want to learn more about online learning and are willing to take a little time every week in March to experience the learning environment and comment/discuss with other participants. There is no cost for this service to instructors. If this interests you, please email me at <lites@bizenglish.com> Welcome!

Emily Lites American Business English http://www.bizenglish.com

** ---------------------------------------- 2. Two Day Seminar For EGB and Polimodal ----------------------------------------

Macmillan Heinemann ELT Two Day Seminar For EGB and Polimodal

MARCH 4th.

Esteban Cresta Acquiring Language through Tasks

Susana García Cahuza Reading Enjoyment

Omar Villarreal The development of creativity and thinking skills in EGB and Educación POLIMODAL

MARCH 5th.

Ana M. Armendáriz Where EFL Methodology falls short to cater for Silvia Lupi the new millenium English Language Learner SilviaRetarolli

Charlie López Motivation, the most effective tool to control discipline

Efrain Davis title to be confirmed

VENUE: Bauen Hotel - Av. Callao 360, Cap. Fed. ENTRANCE. Free VACANCIES: Limited ENROLMENT: (011) 4797-9204

Certificates of attendance will be issued

Posted by: Gastón Frayssinet mailto:eltinfo@machelt.com.ar

** ----------------------------- 3. Looking for APIBA and more -----------------------------

Dear Argentine colleagues,

Can someone please post either an email or physical address for APIBA in Buenos Aires?

Our school finally has a much more reliable computer; therefore, I would like to try once again to launch an email exchange with English [EFL] classes in B.A. My classes are upper-division Spanish classes [16-18 years old].

Thanks in advance for any information on APIBA that you might be able to render.

Sincerely,

Posted by: Greg Eichler Washington High School San Francisco, California mailto:greg@bluelotus.com

**

end

--------------------------------------------- Martin Eayrs, Buenos Aires, Argentina Email: <me@eltnewsandviews.com.ar>

----------------------------------- N&V-L Digest 457 - 25 February 1999 -----------------------------------

There are 5 messages in this digest.

1. A very quick query 2. two announcements to share 3. More about FAAPI 4. First International Shakespeare Conference 5. Being polite

** --------------------- 1. A very quick query ---------------------

Can anyone recommend a comprehensive web site where you can find a list of current EFL books from different publishers, instead of having to jump from one publishers site to another? Is it possible to tap in say, P.E.T. and get a list of all the P.E.T. preparation books on the market?

Posted by: Heather Clark mailto:kenhjc@entelchile.net

** ----------------------------- 2. two announcements to share -----------------------------

a) A fascinating site

For word lovers, you can have a wonderful little article on words and collocations everyday in your mailbox. The site is owned by Lawrence Paros. It is called "A Word with You" and you can find it at: http://www.wordwithyou.com

b) On-line teacher training courses

On-line distance training offers opportunities for educators that have yet to be realized. After the successful experience with teachers from the Patagonia and the TESOL Pre-Convention On-line Workshops I invited colleagues to participate in a piloting experience. The objective was to learn to use the presentation program PowerPoint for our classrooms. The response was immediate and twelve hours after I made the announcement I had to close the list for the quota had been more than filled. My apologies to those colleagues who were left out of the experience!

Some more projects are on the way and I have drawn a list of the many teachers who offered to participate but couldn't make it. In the meantime you can follow them at my site, or, if you would like further information, contact me personally. My old address <mrossetti@mayo.com.ar> has been changed <to mrossetti@impsat1.com.ar>

Posted by: Mercedes Rossetti mailto:mrossetti@impsat1.com.ar http://members.xoom.com/project_2000 ICQ No. 29384556

** ------------------- 3. More about FAAPI -------------------

Available data on the FAAPI 1999 Annual Congress as of 25 February 1999 * general subject: ELT in the Argentinian context * venue: Villa Giardino (Córdoba Hills) * dates: 18-20 September, 1999 * some details: -- "in residence" congress at the "Hotel Luz y Fuerza" (Villa Giardino) ; -- programme developed round areas of interest and including plenaries, semi-plenaries, paper presentations and discussions; -- a call for papers will be announced soon. Posted by: Nora Séculi mailto:seculi@citynet.net.ar

** --------------------------------------------- 4. First International Shakespeare Conference ---------------------------------------------

The Instituto Superior del Profesorado "Dr. Joaquín V. González" and its Department of English will hold the First International Conference on "William Shakespeare, His Work, His Times and His Influence" in Buenos Aires from 15 to 18 September 1999.

This is conceived as a meeting of international and local experts on the subject, who will assemble to exchange insights and research results and will be sponsored by the Secretaría de Cultura y Educación del Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires (Resolución N° 1516/98).

The Conference is open to all those who wish to participate. Abstracts will be received until 25 June.

This is the first time an event of this kind has been organised in Argentina and it is certain to arouse considerable interest in South America.

More information can be obtained from Susana Mayorga at:

Instituto Superior del Profesorado "Dr. Joaquín V. González" Rivadavia 3577 1ª piso (1204) Buenos Aires Argentina

Tel/fax: (from outside Arg) 0054-11-4863-3916 or 0054-11-4863-3905

E-mail: profjvg@fausto.mcye.gov.ar

posted by: Susana Mayorga mailto:profjvg@fausto.mcye.gov.ar

** --------------- 5. Being polite ---------------

To be polite or not.That is the question. It is sometimes difficult for foreign language teachers to be fully aware of ordinary things like sounding polite or not when there isn't enough exposure to the target language and culture.One question that teachers keep asking is whether it is still polite to use modals like" may" for phrases like: May I go to the break? or May I open the window? I heard that nowadays people who use such language are considered to treat themselves as if they belong to lower level than the receptor of the message. Is it true?

Posted by: Adriana Benvenuto mailto:abenveto@uncoma.edu.ar

**

end

----------------------------------- N&V-L Digest 458 - 25 February 1999 -----------------------------------

There are 5 messages in this digest.

1.In Memoriam: Florence Chaudet 2. Vocabulary query 3. RE: ELT Publishers 4. From Nexus - coming events 5. Politeness

** ------------------------------- 1.In Memoriam: Florence Chaudet -------------------------------

Florence Chaudet, a longtime teacher of English and staunch supporter of professional standards in the field of ELT in Argentina, died on 16 February 1999. She graduated from the Escuela Superior de Lenguas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba where, as full English Language and Literature professor, she later joined the faculty until retirement. She pursued graduate courses at Mount Holyoke College, in the United States, and was awarded grants to specialise in Shakespearean studies in England. Upon return she joined the staff at the Instituto de Intercambio Cultural Argentino Norteamericano and participated as lecturer in countless seminars held in different provinces in the country.

She was also active as committee member for many years on the board of the Asociación Argentina de Cultura Británica, an institution she was very close to since childhood and which her father had contributed to establish. Her commitment to quality teaching prompted her to found the Asociación de Profesores de Inglés de Córdoba, where she held the post of president untilher death.

Florence's long lasting association with FAAPI dates back to the early sixties when -- together with a group of visionary colleagues -- she contributed to the establishment of the Federación Argentina de Asociaciones de Profesores de Inglés, the umbrella organisation for local Associations of graduate teachers of English in different provinces in Argentina where they would convene not only to address professional issues but also to serve the needs of teachers of English nation-wide by means of academic seminars held once a year. Last but not least, she also found the time to serve as editor of the English language journal "Teaching and Learning" where she also contributed professional articles.

At a time when leadership, responsibility and selflessness are qualities in short supply, Florence abundantly manifested all three. Her strength and determination will continue to inspire us in keeping alive the torch she has passed on to us. May she rest in peace.

Posted by: Ma. Cristina T. de Grondona White FAAPI president mailto:mcthom@einstein.com.ar

** ------------------- 2. Vocabulary query -------------------

Can someone help me with these words? They appear in a catalogue about industrial parks. TECHNOPOLE, TELEPORT, DISTRIPARK Thanks a lot in advance. Posted by: Norma Hipperdinger mailto:normah@alphapampa.com.ar ** --------------------- 3. RE: ELT Publishers ---------------------

In reply to Heather Clark (A very quick query)

This is not exactly what you are after but it may help. You will find a listof texts for UCLES EFL examinations in their booklet called:

PA/Cambridge Booklist - The UK Publishers¨Association Booklist for Cambridge EFL Examinations

I shall be delighted to send you and other list members a copy. Just let me have your postal address.

Saludos

Posted by: Litty Mora UCLES Support Officer for Argentina mailto:plmora@impsat1.com.ar

** ----------------------------- 4. From Nexus - coming events -----------------------------

I thought these coming dates for Nexus Education Events in 1999.

If anyone on the ELT N&V List requires free tickets for any of the events they can contact me at: spencer.hawkes@virgin.net

-------------------- Salao do Estudante 1999 Porto Alegre March 11 Salao do Estudante 1999 São Paulo March 13/14 Salao do Estudante 1999 Recife March 16 Salao do Estudante 1999 Salvador March 18 Salao do Estudante 1999 Rio de Janeiro March 20/21 Salao do Estudante 1999 Belo Horizonte March 23 Salao do Estudante 1999 Curitiba March 25/26 -------------------- Expo-Estudiante Cordoba Aug 25/26 Expo-Estudiante Buenos Aires Aug 28/29 Expo-Estudiante Mendoza Sept 1 -------------------- Expo-Estudiante Santiago Sept 4/5 -------------------- 1999 USA Education Fairs, Brazil - Sao Paulo Sept 24/26 1999 USA Education Fairs, Brazil - Rio de Janeiro Sept 28-29 1999 USA Education Fairs, Brazil - Curitiba Oct 1/2 --------------------

We are also publishing a new magazine for Spanish speaking students in South America who are looking to study abroad. 30,000 copies of "Estudiar en el Extranjero" will be distributed through our fairs and mailing lists.

The publication will contain articles on study abroad, obtaining a visa, the value of using an agent, language testing, etc.

Any list members who would like complimentary copies of this magazine can e-mail me their details and I will mail them free copies.

posted by: Spencer Hawkes Manager - International Operations, Nexus Media Ltd. mailto:spencer.hawkes@virgin.net http://www.worldofstudy.com

** ------------- 5. Politeness -------------

Brown and Levinson in their theory of politeness, which has generated a great deal of research in pragmatics, suggest that there are two kinds of politness linked to face -- this last being the public self-image which we all claim for ourselves, and which is to be mutually supported in interaction. An act which threatens face is called a face threatening act, while those which reduce the threat to face are called face saving acts. Requests are potentially face threatening because they intrude on the freedom of action of the party to whom the request is directed. Non compliance with a request is also face threatening, and so requests are often framed in such a way as to avoid on record non compliance (i.e. overt refusal).

The two types of politeness which B&L have defined are:

* negative politeness, which is concerned with acknowledging and safeguarding an individual's freedom of action, so that any limitation or intrusion on that freedom is an imposition

* positive politeness, which is concerned with social relations in terms of closeness and distance and what is shared in common --in other words, being friendly and sociable.

Requesting involves imposition on the freedom of the person to whom the request is addressed. So as to display awareness of this imposition and to lesson the possible threat, various politeness strategies are employed as a way of saving face. In North American and British English, the question form with a modal verb is conventionally used, and is known as the conventional indirect request. It is widely used as a negative politeness strategy. Examples:

Could you lend me your pen? Could you give me your pen? May I borrow your pen?

A positive politeness strategy, which works on the basis of appeal to a shared goal, would be:

How about letting me use your pen?

When efficiency outweighs politeness, direct forms are used:

Pen! (As when taking notes from a phone call under tight time constraints) Watch out! (As when warning someone of imminent danger.) Don't touch that switch! (To someone who is about to cause damage or danger to themselves or equipment) Jump! (To avoid being injured or killed)

When people are socially close, as is the case with close friends, workmates and family, direct forms may be used to show closeness -- in other words, we are direct only with people who are socially close. Being direct demonstrates closeness. Thus, we might use a direct request to display solidarity, common grounds, with the person to whom the request or instruction is addressed:

Open the window. Switch of the TV. Pour the tea.

To someone who is not so socially close, we would typically use a conventional indirect request and a negative politeness strategy:

Could you open the window?

Or, we might ask permission (which is another indirect way of making a request):

May I open the window?

Likewise, when making an offer to a close friend, we might say something like:

Have a beer!

Whereas, to someone who is not socially close, we might say:

Would you like a beer?

Elaborate request and offer forms are used to indicate awareness of imposition and to display deference. They can also be used to create distance. Thus, a partner who says to the other:

I wonder if you would be so kind as to pass the milk

is either being ironically humorous, or is using very formal language to create distance and, maybe, to signal annoyance. Normally, partners don't use formal -- and more elaborated -- language because closeness makes such usage unnecessary. Using formal language way creates distance.

Likewise, people who are not socially close will tend to use more formal language because, if people are socially distant, it has to be to assumed that a requested action is more rather than less of an imposition on the other person. So, negative politeness strategies and indirect request forms are used.

Imposition is also linked to the 'cost' of the action. If the room is very hot and there is a need for ventilation, the cost is low --indeed, there may be a benefit. If, however, it is cold outside and the room isn't obviously too hot, the cost in terms of intrusion on someone else's comfort/space may be higher. To demonstrate concern with imposing on an individual's 'space' (and face), a conventional indirect request is typically used. It is also worth noting that the less direct the request, the more ambiguous it is, and so it can be refused with less loss of face. Hints are a form of indirect request, e.g.

It's very hot in here.

On the surface, this isn't a request, and so can be treated either as an observation, and simply confirmed:

Yes, isn't it.

Or, it can be interpreted as a request for action/permission, e.g.

Would you like to open the window?

There are cultural differences in the way imposition and social distance are defined, and, consequently, in the politeness strategies and language forms that are used. In the UK, it is usual to use negative politeness and indirect request forms when dealing with someone providing a service. In some cultures, direct request forms are used instead because there is a different evaluation on imposition in the customer-provider relationship. This is summed up in the following:

Could I have an X, please? Give me an X.

Typically, a UK or US shop assistant would expect the former, not the latter, because they anticipate the use of a negative politeness strategy on the part of the customer -- even though, in the scale of things, the customer is superordinate and the shop assisant subordinate. In other cultures, the assistant would anticipate the latter because they accept the status difference between themselves and their customers.

If you want to read more about politeness, which is a branch of pragmatics, a very good introductory book is the one written by George Yule (1996), entitled 'Pragmatics', in the series, Oxford Introductions to Langauge Study, Edited by Henry Widdowson. A more extensive discussion is availabe in Jenny Thomas's book, 'Meaning in Interaction', published by Longman (1995). The book by Penelope Brown and Stephen Levinson, which is fascinating but heavy-weight, is 'Politeness', published in 1987 in a revised edition by Cambridge University Press.

Posted by: Ron White Centre for Applied Language Studies The University of Reading mailto:r.v.white@reading.ac.uk

**

end

----------------------------------- N&V-L Digest 459 - 27 February 1999 -----------------------------------

There are 5 messages in this digest.

1. ELT Conferences 1999 2. Info requested on distance courses 3. Looking for APIBA (reply) 4. Millenary madness 5. Chat channel for N&V-L list members

** ----------------------- 1. ELT Conferences 1999 ------------------------

If you know of any ELT related conferences in South America taking place during 1999 we still have time to put them in our website Calendar page and in the printed Calendar of Events to be sent out with the March 1999 issue of ELT News & Views.

This is a good chance to promote your event and is a free service offered by ELT News & Views.

Send us the dates, name of organiser(s), venue, name of event, guest speaker(s), cost (or 'free') and details of whom to contact for more information. If you don't have ALL this information send us what you do have.

The site at http://www.eltnewsandviews.com.ar/calendar/calendar.html carries major events only and carries less information than the printed version,which can only be obtained through subscription to ELT News & Views. The printed version typically has four pages with approximately 120 entries.

Posted by: ELT News & Views Editor mailto:me@eltnewsandviews.com.ar

** ------------------------------------- 2. Info requested on distance courses -------------------------------------

I am looking for information about distance courses for English teachers or translators. I am interested in a course for people who have been working for some time - not the Certificates, that normally require no experience and are more like an introductory course. I know about the MA offered by the University of Surrey, represented here by the Cultura Inglesa de Buenos Aires, but would like to know of other options. I think this kind of information could be useful for many of us, so if you are taking any course like this, or know about them, why don't you contact me and I will prepare a summary for the list. Thank you very much for you help,

Posted by: Estela Fernández mailto:<mailto:estela@netex.com.ar>estela@netex.com.ar

** ---------------------------- 3. Looking for APIBA (reply) -----------------------------

Greg Eichler asks about APIBA.

APIBA (Asociacion de Profesores de Ingles de Buenos Aires) can be contacted at:

M.T. de Alvear 1369 (KEL S.A.) 1058 Capital Federal Tel: (0054) 11-4813-6884

The Asociación de Profesores de Inglés de Buenos Aires (A.P.I.B.A.) is a professional, non-profit organization with legal status, whose members are fully-qualified Argentine English teachers, graduates from official and officially-recognized educational institutions (teacher-training colleges and universities).

We are in the process of obtaining an e-mail address for APIBA. In the meantime, you can contact us using my address.

Posted by: Cristina Banfi Member of the APIBA Executive Committee mailto:banfiday@ssdnet.com.ar

** -------------------- 4. Millenary madness --------------------

As we approach the millennium people are talking (and writing) about it more and more. Leaving aside the fact that the millennium should properly be celebrated at midnight on Dec 31st 2000, yet another demonstration of humanity's beginning to turn its back on the concept of deferred gratification only acquired after millenniums (or if you prefer, millennia) of evolution, the clearest thing millennium hysteria shows is that most people can't even spell the word.

If you want to get wise, that's two 'l's and two 'n's in millennium if you please, in British or American English. The words 'millenary' and millenarian however have only a single 'l'.

Now check out the printed references and see just how often everyone gets it wrong.

And that's my pet peeve of the week.

Posted by: Martin Eayrs mailto:me@eltnewsandviews.com.ar

**

--------------------------------------------------- 5. Chat channel for N&V-L list members (and others) ---------------------------------------------------

I have been asked to reactivate the ELT News & Views chat channel that I ran back in 1997. I repeat the posting I made at the time.

The channel will be for the unrestricted exchange of news, information, administrative, pedagogical and methodological threads relating to English language teaching, specifically in southern South America. (In fact you can talk about what you like really, but that's the idea). The language of the channel will be English.

This channel should be interesting not only to teachers and school administrators but also to students in their final years of teacher training, who can practice language and communication skills while exchanging news and information on matters of professional interest. The ELT News & Views IRC runs on Tuesdays from 21.00 to 24.00 Argentina/Brazil time (00.00 - 03.00 GMT), but consult your local time for time variations.

Log on to Dalnet - you can use <hebron.in.us.dal.net> to avoid netsplitting with the ChanOp - although any Dalnet server will be ok. Other clients on, for example, Undernet or Overnet, will not connect you to a Dalnet channel). We use Dalnet because it offers the best connections for Argentina and Brazil.

The name of the channel is #ELTNews&Views, typed exactly as given here (the # symbol is not required). If the channel is unattended when you log on, hang on in - IRC connections are notoriously unreliable and the ChanOp may have fallen out.

I'll go on channel for a couple of weeks trial and will be delighted to chat with list members and friends. However, if you do not know how to use IRC please understand that I do not have time to give individual tutorials on how chat commands and functions work by phone or email. It's not hard, just experiment and you'll soon be there.

The channel functioned for about eight weeks back in 1997 but fizzled because the ChanOP (Channel Operator) got bored with sitting hoping someone would log on. I'm happy to try this again for a couple of weeks, but if no one shows, well that will indicate there's still no interest.

That said, Chat can be fun and once a week is a good way to keep in touchwith friends around the country/world. Channel #ELTNews&Views is registered with Dalnet which means that it will always be there and that we can keep out undesirables. Feel free to use the channel at any time in fact, but for N&V-L purposes I think more than once a week is too ambitious.

And yes, please feel free to invite other friends who use chat to join us. To get started (again) we need people and I am happy to relax the rules a little regarding subjects of conversation, etc. The only stipulation will be 'English only'.

Hope to see you online on Tuesday.

Posted by: N&V-L List Editor mailto:me@eltnewsandviews.com.ar

**

end

N&V-L Digests 453 - 459 February 1999

N&V-L Digests 453 - 459
February 1999