025_Getting_It_Straight

025_Getting_It_Straight

This is the fourth of four episodes dealing with English for business meetings. Masato has one more question for Ray Parnell concerning the best way to correct misunderstandings.

Kevin:

Hello and welcome again to Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting. A great place to review Englsih words and phrases. This is the fourth of four episodes dealing with meeting skills. This episode we have another question from Nichibei student Masato.

Masato:

Hello Kevin.

Kevin:

And also here again is Nichibei instructor Ray Parnell. Hello Ray.

Ray Parnell:

Hello again Kevin.

Kevin:

So…Masato. last episode you had a question about making requests in a business meeting and you said you have one more question?

Masato:

Yes. Sometimes in a meeting other members repeat something I said before, but what they repeat is wrong, they didn’t understand what I said.

Ray Parnell:

They misunderstood you.

Masato:

Right. So I usually say ‘No, you are wrong, I didn’t say that”

Ray Parnell:

That sounds too strong for a business meeting.

Masato:

Yes, I think so too. So I really want to know what to say to some who has not repeated my information correctly.

Ray Parnell:

Someone who has misquoted you.

Masato:

Sorry? Someone who has …?

Ray Parnell:

Misquoted you. The word quote Q-U-O-T-E, means to repeat exactly what another person has said. So if we put the prefix M-I-S- on quote, it means to repeat another persons words incorrectly.

Masato:

OK misquote. So I want to know what to say when someone has misquoted me.

(127)Ray Parnell:

OK. If some one misquotes what you have said, you can politely correct them first by saying,Actually, that’s not what I said, followed by what you actually said. For example, maybe you said that the SIngapore project should be delayed, but your coworker misquotes you by saying, >Masato, you said the Singapore project should be cancelled, you would say…

Masato:

Ah, Actually, that’s not what I said>. I said the Singapore project should be delayed!

Ray Parnell:

Good, that sounded fine.

Masato:

Thanks, now what do I say if someone doesn’t understand my meaning?

Ray Parnell:

That’s easy. You can use the same phrase with the word meant.Actually, that’s not what I meant. Another phrase you can use is,I’m afraid you misunderstood me. orYou must have misunderstood me. Let’s try this situation. Your employee thinks you are going to Singapore alone, but you want to go together. He might say, Didn’t you say you were going to Singapore alone? You could say…

Masato:I’m afraid you misunderstood me,Actually what I meant was I want you to go too.

Ray Parnell:

Very good Masato. You got the information straight and you sounded smooth and polite while doing it.

Masato:

Thank you Mr. Parnell. You’ve been very helpful. Thanks for your help

Ray Parnell:

You’re very welcome Masato! See you later. Aloha.

Kevin:

Now, let’s review the words and phrases for this episode.
Misquote,
Actually, that’s not what I said.
Actually, that’s not what I meant.
I’m afraid you misunderstood me.
You must have misunderstood me.

END