Monday, January 01, 2007

Formal Talking Practice: Understanding amazing

For my first formal session of the year, I am going to take a word from the previous post: Amazing.

Lisbeth has a French friend in the village who is a very talented person. He makes lovely things from metal. These range from large weather-vanes to pretty fondue forks; lamps and candle holders to collapsible hall stands; huge gates to intricate bolts. Many of his creations are made from recycled objects and the craftsmanship is always excellent. However, he is a private person keeping himself to himself so not everyone knows what treasures lie behind the doors of the workshop.

If Lisbeth thinks any of her visitors will appreciate his work, she arranges a visit. So, back in September, she took her son and his girlfriend to see him. They are both very creative and both have, themselves, worked with metal. She is never completely sure who these visits are for: her friend, or her guests. She just hopes everyone gets something out of it. On this particular visit, the word used most often in relation to his work was 'amazing'.

Some days later, Lisbeth's friend asked what the word 'mazing' meant. He said he had tried to look it up in his English/French dictionary but hadn't been able to find it. Lisbeth explained that it isn't two words 'a mazing' but one word 'amazing' and that he should look that word up.

Next time she saw him he beamed at her, saying "amazing, amazing".

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