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Episode 2576 Lindsay's Language Adventure on the Spanish Steps.
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Today let's find out what a cop said to Lindsay in Italy and why this was slightly incorrect English.
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Hey, Lindsay.
How are you?
Hey, Michelle.
Glad to be here.
How are you?
How's it going?
I'm doing well.
So you recently went to Italy.
I did.
And I'm just curious, where's your favorite place in Italy to visit?
Probably Rome is my favorite city in Italy just because...
It feels like the most authentic city to me in terms of touristy cities, let's say.
I'm sure there's some dreamy city in some small town that I would love.
But Rome is really cool because you know you're just you're taking like a city bus or you're just taking an Uber or something, or you're walking.
Maybe you're on your way to work and you turn left and there's these ancient ruins right there in the middle of the city.
It's wild.
Yeah, I love Rome, too.
I really do.
And one of my favorite places, that when I visited Rome I couldn't believe how beautiful the Spanish steps were.
Like, yeah, I was just I could have been there all day.
So nice, especially in the evening.
And it was gorgeous.
When we were there, it was really crowded.
I'm not gonna lie.
Yeah, a lot of a lot of people on vacation in the week between Christmas and New Year's, right?
Yeah.
And so we were around crowds a lot, which is not my favorite thing, but I still.
The Spanish steps are beautiful.
And we just took a break and we sat down right on the steps.
Right.
So we were sitting there for about 10 minutes, you know, and a lot of other tourists were also sitting on the steps or sitting on the little blocks of cement next to the steps.
So it seemed like an OK thing to do.
We thought we were OK.
We were tired tourists, you know, that kind of thing, deciding where to go next.
And then a cop, a policeman came up to us and said, it's not possible.
Right.
So, Michelle, what comes to your mind when you so he said it's not possible.
And then he kind of gestured for us to move, to stand up and kind of walk away or just stand up to not sit there.
What comes to your mind when you imagine this scenario?
Like kind of confusion and awkwardness because it's not possible.
It's just it's not, it's you know where.
I guess what we would have said is something you can't sit here, or you're not able to sit here, something like that, rather than just it's not possible.
Yeah um, i will say, i really think i sat on the steps and no one bothered me.
I don't know, maybe things have changed, maybe because it was so busy and so crowded, or i who knows, maybe i'm wrong.
Yeah, because i got some nice pictures there.
Anyway yeah um, but i but Yeah.
Yeah.
Yeah.
Did it feel like a little awkward for you?
And I'm really interested in language.
And I think the thing is like we understood and we got up and we walked away.
Right.
Like we got it.
No problem.
But because we're you know, you and I were linguists here.
We love looking at language and making sure our listeners are speaking really accurately in the most clear way possible.
We want to do today's episode on this tiny, tiny mistake.
Just so it's really clear, you know, because I have a feeling this is another false friend.
Translation from Italian.
So the first thing my partner and I said to each other as soon as we got up and walked away, we kind of chuckled a little.
We said, actually, it is possible because we were just doing it.
We were just sitting there.
It is physically possible to sit on the steps.
Yes, that's what, that's what's in.
Yes, that's why it's so yeah interesting because yeah, something being possible, it's like can it be done?
It can't, it's not.
Is it allowed?
There's a difference exactly, exactly.
So again, what should the cop have said to us if we were not maybe not translating from italian, or we want to say it exactly correctly what could we have said?
He could have just said you can't sit here.
Right.
Exactly.
Or if you want to elevate that a little bit and sound more professional, you could say it's not permitted to sit here.
So it puts that more in the passive voice, puts a little distance between us and the cop.
Right.
But saying it's not possible is actually incorrect, subtly incorrect, because of course it is possible.
We were just doing it for 10 minutes, right?
Okay, but this reminds me of the whole and we've talked about this before the.
Can I go to the bathroom or may I go to the bathroom?
Right?
I think we've talked about this before.
You know how kids, they always say, oh, can I go to the bathroom?
Oh, I don't know.
Can you?
Right.
And when adults want them to say may I even though I think that's ridiculous, because I think it's just conversational to say can I?
Anyway.
I feel like when I was a kid, I heard that snap back.
Some adults would snap back to kids when they would ask and I didn't get it.
Like I didn't know why the adults were saying that.
Right.
It's because, yeah.
But I get it now, obviously.
Right.
You've got, Lindsay, let me tell you.
No, but guys, so it's because can is about ability.
So it's the same idea as like, if something's possible well yeah, it's.
Yeah, it's possible, i'm doing it right yeah, but at the same time, don't let that throw you off guys, because we do.
You know, i go to a restaurant and i order all the time.
I, you know, can i have mac and cheese right oh yeah well, that's why i think, that's why i think it was so like ridiculous to you know, to pick on, especially to pick on kids.
About that, it'd be like me, you know i, i feel like may, i is just kind of antiquated and but i Yeah, so I just like, I don't know, really picking at nothing.
Anyway, but that's a whole conversation for another day.
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It is available on Android.
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Right absolutely yes, thank you so much.
Yes, so yeah, so we're gonna, we're gonna get more into this today.
Um, yeah again, maybe maybe you realize.
Oh, i've said it's not possible, Right?
So we're going to talk about.
You know these more natural ways to say that something is not OK to do?
And guys, this is part of a series.
Nice.
So today we're focusing on saying you can't do something.
The second part of the series is going to be over on the Business English podcast.
So if you are not following that, make sure you hit follow so that you don't miss the next episode of the series.
Good.
I'm so excited for this series.
So important.
You know, looking at these subtle things, translation mistakes, where we want to learn the language from the language, the original language, right.
We want to learn in immersion.
Sorry, I'm having a hard time speaking today.
We want to learn in an immersive sense.
So we're learning directly English through English instead of translating from our native language, because I do think this is where this cop probably got into trouble a little bit.
And by the way, like it's only because we are language people.
Most other people wouldn't worry about it.
It's great.
But we we're here for you guys.
We want you to feel that you're speaking as accurately as you can for the best connection.
OK, exactly.
Good.
So yeah, as we talked about already, one thing the cop could have said was you can't X, So in this case, you can't sit here.
This is very direct.
It's very blunt.
Yes.
And it's really good for a person of authority to you.
So, you know, it could be.
It could sound rude, but this is a cop.
He's just getting things done.
There's a lot of people.
You can't sit here, right?
And it's good for these short interactions.
You're on the step.
You can't sit here.
Yeah, yeah.
It gets a little more complicated if you're with your friends who are at your same level and you're starting to say things like that, right?
You can't.
Because then you might seem kind of bossy and that sort of thing.
But a cop is allowed to sort of say that kind of thing.
So here's an example.
You can't use these bags without paying for them.
Did you bring your own bags?
Mm hmm.
So like when you go in and there's the reusable bag.
Yes.
And you're maybe you don't realize you have to pay for them.
Or you can't use this phone.
It's meant for emergencies.
Mm hmm.
Mm hmm.
Good.
Yeah.
So just straightforward.
This is the most, I guess, casual and kind of direct way of saying it.
Wouldn't you say, Michelle?
Mm hmm.
Mm hmm.
Yeah.
And the next one was the other one you were talking about, which is a little more formal sounding and more passive.
So it's not permitted to sit here, or something is not permitted.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, going into the passive voice, getting formal, putting distance Formalities.
It's not permitted to use your cell phone here, right?
So maybe if I feel a little awkward Saying this to someone, if I'm not in a I don't know, I don't know would you say this if you're not in a position of authority.
Do you think, Michelle?
I mean, it feels very fancy.
I don't know that I, yeah, that's the thing is I don't know that I would say this.
Right.
Unless I was I mean perhaps like in the classroom I might say oh, it's not permitted to use your cell phone.
You know, this is like really about like a formal rule.
I don't know that.
I would just say if I'm, if I'm like okay, like I'm imagining a situation where I'm maybe you know, maybe it's we're like in a like, it's like a parade route and there's there's like gates up.
You know, they put up gates in the street and you're standing and there's somebody who's trying to get back and you just want to let them know, like oh, you're not supposed to go beyond here.
I don't think I would turn to the person next to me and say, oh, it's not permitted, right?
Right.
Good point.
Yeah.
I think this could be used also if the person of authority feels awkward saying this.
It's like kind of hiding behind the rule a little bit, right?
Because it is so formal the way you're saying it.
So you're kind of blaming the rule or the law.
Right.
Right.
Right.
So say something like it's not permitted to go beyond this line, or going beyond this line is not permitted.
So you could put it in both formats.
Right.
Right.
Right.
Exactly.
And then another one is just you're not allowed to or saying something is not allowed.
So.
Yes.
You're not allowed to sit in this section.
Or you're not allowed to enter this area without a ticket.
And you hear kids use this.
You hear adults use this.
It's all over the place.
Allowed is a very common word, I think.
Yes, exactly.
Yeah.
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Okay, and that's not it.
Michelle, there's more.
Um, so what else?
What else can we say?
Well, what you know, those ones are like a little bit more on the direct side.
So let's talk about some ways that we might soften this.
Yeah.
So you could soften this by saying I'm sorry, but and then give your explanation.
So I'm sorry, but you're not allowed to X. I'm sorry, but you're not allowed to sit in this section.
It's reserved for premium ticket holders.
Yeah.
And the interesting thing is, whether you feel the need to soften this or not can depend on well, number one personality, but number two culture, right?
I mean some cultures are much more rules based and there's less of a need for maybe, politeness or saving face.
Whereas other cultures really is saving faces very important.
So it really think about your own culture and what you feel would be necessary.
And of course, it depends on your position in society.
Like, are you a cop or are you an authority figure?
Or are you just talking to someone at your level, like a peer or a family member?
Right.
There's a lot here, culturally speaking, Michelle.
Yeah.
Oh, my gosh.
Exactly.
Or I'm sorry, but you're not allowed to use these bags unless you pay for them.
They cost one dollar.
So going to that bag example.
Yes.
Oh, geez.
Or I'm sorry, but it's not permitted to sit here.
OK, so here we're using the old structure we just taught our listeners.
But we're we're we're making we're softening it a bit, padding it.
Right.
It is only for our premium members.
Right.
Yes.
And another one you could say is I mean, this is really softening it and you might need to.
You might need to use this.
I apologize for the inconvenience, but so I apologize for the inconvenience, but it isn't permitted to purchase this at this time.
Yeah.
Now you might hear this too from someone coming over a loudspeaker, right?
We apologize for the inconvenience, but this line is off limits.
This is only for first class passengers, that kind of thing, right?
I apologize for the inconvenience, but you aren't able to purchase more than one bottle of this medication right now.
Yeah.
Sometimes they have limits.
You know I'm thinking COVID times.
You know um, but yeah, saying something like this, let's just highlight this you aren't able to, you aren't right able to, which is kind of funny because it it is kind of more the it is or isn't possible right, you aren't able to.
Well, i i mean, but it's saying that there's a rule like yeah yeah yeah yeah, you know it's funny.
This makes me think of um.
Do you know where you can learn the most about the politeness culture of a city?
Well, let's just say, within the us, the airport security If you go to Boston Logan.
Oh man, watch out.
They will be complete.
I can't say the words on the show because we don't swear on the show, but they will be jerks to you.
Whereas here in Denver, like people are pretty smiley, right?
They'll smile at you.
Hey, have a nice day.
They don't snap at you.
Yes.
Um, what do you think?
And I'm very used to the New York airports and even worse, even worse.
They're screaming.
And you know, I mean I understand where they're coming from, because It's hard and they're repeating the same thing over and over and people don't hear.
And there's so many people.
But it's like you're terrified.
So we should prepare our listeners if you're traveling to the U.S.
And I'm sure this is probably true around the world too, but I notice it really in the US because we can compare cities and the language that we know exactly.
The language that's being used, right?
And there's a stark difference between certain cities, the security lines entering airports.
Super interesting.
True, to learn about a city yeah yeah, just don't let it get to you.
You don't take it personally.
In new york boston, philly maybe, just don't really was.
Actually i was surprised okay um, it was kind of like a dream.
Everybody was very nice good okay, um city yeah, i don't know.
It's also like the smaller, it's a, it's not.
I mean yeah, it's a big airport, but it's not quite as big.
It's not quite, I don't know.
I've had a good experience there so far.
Also Florida, you know, anywhere in Florida is generally happy.
Maybe it just depends on the amount of sunshine in that city, right?
It's directly correlated.
Yeah.
Who knows?
I wonder if there are studies about this.
In LA, I didn't have an issue.
People are pretty nice too.
So Yeah.
But just don't let it get to you.
If you're visiting these more gruff East Coast cities, just don't take it personally.
Right.
Because you are going to encounter people screaming and people being short with you.
But it's not about you.
Right.
It's about what they're going to be done.
Done.
Like just just like keep on moving it.
Don't get offended.
Don't get offended.
Yeah, exactly.
But but yeah, I mean, and then, you know, finally, you could also say just like, please don't. right and if you're not making that you know please please don't um please don't uh speak too loudly in this library right please don't stand up on the airplane when the the seat belt lights are on right exactly yeah exactly so um so then let's see uh let's do a role play okay michelle here we go so you are working at a museum and i'm visiting this museum all right okay here we go um I'm sorry, but touching the paintings is not permitted.
Oh, okay.
I'm sorry.
And I apologize for the inconvenience, but eating here is not allowed.
You can eat in the cafeteria.
Oh, okay.
Thank you.
Gosh, I'm ashamed of my museum manners here.
Why would I be touching a painting?
Let me just see how this is.
You gotta get it.
Who does that?
Who does that?
Um, so here Michelle, you said I'm sorry, but touching the paintings is not permitted.
So here's a context where you're, you're a museum attendant.
You're probably going to want to be a little more polite, because you're probably going to see that person for the next five minutes wandering around the room.
It's not a gruff city feeling, right?
It's a different, so we're dressing it up a little bit with a little more politeness.
Yeah.
Yes.
Yes.
So yeah, I'm sorry, but touching the paintings is not permitted.
And then what did you say?
Well, then you said, oh, okay, I'm sorry.
And then I, yeah, so yeah, right.
So then I said, and I apologize for the inconvenience, but eating here is not allowed.
You can eat in the cafeteria.
So I could have also said, I apologize for the inconvenience, but you're not allowed to eat here.
That would have been fine too.
Yep.
So again, you've chosen, in this context, to be a little bit more polite.
And If we were in an airport security line right, if that were our role play you may have been a bit more direct.
No eating.
Throw away your bottles.
No.
Sometimes I'm so embarrassed for people just on both sides that they're being so rude and that they're receiving that rudeness.
It's just.
Yeah.
But again, don't take it personally.
So guys, look out for the second episode in this series.
It's going to be over on the business english podcast.
So if you're not subscribed to that not following it open your search bar.
Type in business english.
You'll see our yellow come up and that is us.
So hit follow, all right.
Yes, and guys, check out episode 2562 of the all ears english podcast.
That was we're watching your english like a hawk.
That was a fun one.
Yeah, and for today's takeaway, i mean guys, don't get me wrong, we understood this cop on the spanish steps.
We walked away.
He, you know, he got the job done right and that is connection on some level.
That's what we talk about on that show.
But if we wanna fine tune our English, if you guys are at the C1 B2, C1 level, and you wanna know if you're making certain translation mistakes, maybe from your native language, or just not saying something quite right, then this is what we're highlighting today.
All right,
So there are levels of achievement here, but connection can happen even at the basic level.
Like connection already happened.
We got, we left, right?
We got the job done.
Job accomplished.
Yes.
Good stuff.
Yes.
All right, Michelle, you have a good rest of your day.
I'll see you back on the show very soon.
All right.
All right.
Bye, Lindsay.
All right.
Bye.
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