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Rommel Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary

Why should I be convinced that “Come again” means “Kindly repeat what you’ve said” or “I beg your pardon”?

In the Philippines, when one asks for repetition of something that has been said, he says, “Come again.” Others say that, in the so-called Philippine English, “Come again” simply means “I beg your pardon” or “Kindly repeat what you’ve said.” I am not convinced, however. Do you think non-natïve speakers of English have the right to “localize” the English language? I think doing so will be a little odd to the native speakers of English.
  

Top answer

" I would take it to mean he wished me to repeat what I just said. It's a fairly common phrase. "Beg your pardon" is another way to say it.

— Blue Jay

  • " I would take it to mean he wished me to repeat what I just said.
  • It's a fairly common phrase.
  • "Beg your pardon" is another way to say it.
  • "Say again" is another (common among people with a military background).
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2 Answers
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If I were talking to someone and he said, "come again?" I would take it to mean he wished me to repeat what I just said. It's a fairly common phrase. "Beg your pardon" is another way to say it. "Say again" is another (common among people with a military background).
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Rommel“Come again” simply means “I beg your pardon” or “Kindly repeat what you’ve said.” I am not convinced, however.
Yes. That's what it means. It is not localized to Philippine English.
RommelDo you think non-natïve speakers of English have the right to “localize” the English language?
Yes. At least it's not an issue th
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