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Mr. Tom Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Listening and understanding of English songs
Hi
In Pakistan and India, very, very few people would be able to understand the wording of this song, including all English teachers. I just happened to speak to a well known Indian author and I asked her if she understood English songs (in general), and her immediate response was no. In a recent workshop of English teachers, the British presenter played this song and gave each participant the copy of the lyrics with a few blanks which he had deliberately created, and which they were supposed to fill as he played the song twice. Upon special request the song was played the third time. The result was—well, you can imagine what the result was. Pathetic!
My question is, will any native speaker walking down the street understand the wording of this song easily, regardless of his academic background?
Thanks for your interest,
Tom
In Pakistan and India, very, very few people would be able to understand the wording of this song, including all English teachers. I just happened to speak to a well known Indian author and I asked her if she understood English songs (in general), and her immediate response was no. In a recent workshop of English teachers, the British presenter played this song and gave each participant the copy of the lyrics with a few blanks which he had deliberately created, and which they were supposed to fill as he played the song twice. Upon special request the song was played the third time. The result was—well, you can imagine what the result was. Pathetic!
My question is, will any native speaker walking down the street understand the wording of this song easily, regardless of his academic background?
Thanks for your interest,
Tom
Top answer
Nope, this native speaker can't understand it -- and neither can my daughter. There are lots of songs that I can't understand unless I can see the lyrics written out. My kids don't mind listening to music that they can't understand all the words to, but it drives me crazy!
- Nope, this native speaker can't understand it -- and neither can my daughter.
- There are lots of songs that I can't understand unless I can see the lyrics written out.
- My kids don't mind listening to music that they can't understand all the words to, but it drives me crazy!
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6 Answers
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Nope, this native speaker can't understand it -- and neither can my daughter. There are lots of songs that I can't understand unless I can see the lyrics written out. My kids don't mind listening to music that they can't understand all the words to, but it drives me crazy!
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Many thanks, Khoff. Your post is so HEARTENING! 
Could I ask what percent you understood this song?
Tom
Could I ask what percent you understood this song?
Tom
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With this particular song, I would guess that most native speakers would not get all of it. I've highlighted in red the bits I got until just now when I looked up the lyrics. But bear in mind, this song is about 30 years old and I was at college when it was released, so I've heard it lots of times.
Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk
I'm a woman's man, no time to talk
Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk
I'm a woman's man, no time to talk
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Sorry, Kate, did you understand the red part or you did NOT understand the red part? In other words, did the lyrics provide you with red or black?
Thanks a lot,
Tom
Thanks a lot,
Tom
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