Hi, I'm Johan and welcome to Oxford Online English!
嗨，我是 Johan，欢迎来到牛津在线英语！
In this lesson, you can learn something that will help you to sound more like a native speaker when you talk.
在这节课上，你学到的内容可以帮助你在讲话时听起来更像以英语为母语的人。
What is this thing?It's vague language.What does vague mean?Vague means something that is not clear or detailed.
这是什么呢？是模糊语言。模糊是什么意思？模糊指的是不清楚或不详细的事情。
For example, if you ask me what I did yesterday, and I reply, “Just some stuff at home,” that is a vague answer.
举个例子，如果你问我昨天做了什么，而我回答说：“就是在家做了点事”，那就是个模糊的回答。
I'm not giving you any details.Why does this matter?
我没有告诉你任何详细情况。这个有什么重要的？
Vague language is both common and important in natural English.
模糊语言在自然的英语中既常见又重要。
It has many different uses, which you can learn about in this video.
它有很多不同的用法，你在这个视频中就能学到这些用法。
Using vague language will make your English sound more natural and closer to native English.
使用模糊语言会让你的英语听起来更自然，更像英语母语者。
First, let's look at the most important use of vague language.
首先，我们来看看模糊语言最重要的用法。
Part one: avoiding unnecessary detail.In some situations, vagueness is bad.
第一部分：避免不必要的细节。在一些情况下，模糊是不好的。
For example, if you have a contract or a legal document, it shouldn't be vague!
比如说，合同或法律文件就不应该模糊不清。
In general, we prefer to avoid vagueness in writing.However, speaking is often the opposite.
一般来说我们在书面语中会选择避免模糊语言。但是在口语中通常恰恰相反。
Imagine you ask your friend, “What are you doing tomorrow?”
假设你问你朋友：“你明天做什么？”
Look at two possible answers.One: "First, I'm going into the city centre.
我们来看两个可能的回答。回答一：“首先，我要去市中心。
I need to buy a shirt and some toothpaste, then at 10:30 I'm meeting William Bukowski for coffee at the café in Gloucester Square."
我要买一件衬衫和牙膏，然后10:30的时候我约了 William Bukowski 在 Gloucester 广场的咖啡厅喝咖啡。”
"I'm going into town to buy some stuff, then I'm meeting someone for a coffee."
“我要去城里买点东西，然后约了人喝咖啡。”
Which answer sounds more natural?The second one, right?Can you explain why it sounds better?
哪一个回答听起来更自然？第二个，对吧？你能解释一下它为什么听起来更好吗？
In speaking, being too detailed can sound very formal and unnatural.
在口语中，讲话过于详细听起来会非常正式，不自然。
It also wastes time, if I ask you a simple question like, “What are you doing tomorrow,” of course I don't want to know every detail: where you're going, what time, who with, and so on.
还很浪费时间，如果我问你一个简单的问题：“你明天干什么”，我当然不想知道所有的细节：你去哪里，什么时间去，和谁一起去等等。
So what language can you use here?The words "thing" and "stuff" are very useful.
那么在这里可以用什么样的措辞呢？"thing" 和 "stuff" 这两个词非常好用。
So the word "thing" is very useful.You can use "thing" or "things" to refer to an object or objects.
"thing" 这个单词很有用。你可以用 "thing" 或 "things" 指代物体。
For example: "Give me that thing to clean the window."Or "Don't forget to take your things with you."
举个例子：“把那个东西给我，我要擦窗户。”或者“不要忘了把你的东西随身带走。”
You can also use "stuff" in a similar way.Remember that "stuff" is uncountable.
也可以用相似的方式使用 "stuff"。记住，"stuff" 是不可数的。
For example: "We're only going for two days, so we don't need much stuff."
举个例子：“我们只去两天，所以不需要带太多东西。”
Or "Every time I move apartments, I throw away loads of stuff."
或者“每次我搬家的时候都会丢掉好多好多东西。”
Both words "thing" and "stuff" can also be used to talk about things you have to do.
"thing" 和 "stuff" 这两个词还都可以用于谈论你必须做的事情。
For example: "I have to go to that thing tonight."Or "I have a lot of stuff to do next week."
举个例子：“我今天晚上要去参加那个活动。”或者“我下个周有很多事情要做。”
You often use vague language when talking about numbers.
谈论数字的时候经常用模糊语言。
When talking about numbers or quantities, you can avoid unnecessary detail by using expressions like "loads of", "lots of", "a few", "a couple", etc.
讲到数字或数量时，你可以通过使用 "loads of"，"lots of"，"a few"，"a couple" 等短语避免不必要的细节。
For example: "They sent me 34 emails yesterday."
举个例子：“他们昨天给我发了34封电子邮件。”
Or "They sent me loads of emails yesterday."
或者“他们昨天给我发了巨多电子邮件。”
"I saw six of my old school friends last night."
“我昨天晚上见到了六个以前学校的朋友。”
Or "I saw a few of my old school friends last night."
或者“我昨天晚上见到了几个以前学校的朋友。”
"I have to finish three more things, then we can go."
“我还有三件事要完成，做完我们就可以走了。”
Or "I have to finish a couple more things, and then we can go."
或者“我还有几件事要完成，做完我们就可以走了。”
In all of these cases, it's more natural to avoid giving the exact number unless the number is somehow important.
在以上所有的例子中，避免给出确切的数字更自然，除非那个数字很重要。
Another way to use vague language is when shortening a list.
模糊语言的另一个用法就是用于缩略一长串内容。
Imagine your friend came back from vacation, and you ask your friend, “What did you do?”
假设你的朋友度完假回来了，你问你的朋友：“你都做了什么？”
And your friend says: "We went swimming in the sea, sunbathed on the beach, read books, ate in restaurants,
你朋友说：“我们去海里游了泳，在海滩上晒了太阳浴，看了书，去餐馆吃了饭，
took a surfing lesson, visited different villages, slept a lot, went for a bike ride and spent one day relaxing."
上了一节冲浪课，参观了不同的村庄，睡了很长时间，骑了自行车，还花了一天的时间放松。”
That doesn't sound good, right?It sounds quite robotic, no?
听起来不怎么样，对吧？听起来太机械了，是不是？
In informal speech, we usually shorten long lists by using a phrase on the end like: "...and that kind of thing", "...and things like that", "...and so on", "...or something like that".
在非正式讲话中，我们通常会在句末加上下面这样的短语来缩短很长一串内容："...and that kind of thing"，"...and things like that"，"...and so on"，"...or something like that" （等等；诸如此类）。
Your friend might say: "We went to the beach, did some sightseeing and things like that."
你的朋友可能会说：“我们去了海边，四处游览了一下之类的。”
Sounds more natural.It's almost more polite in a way.
听起来更自然。在某种程度上，这样更有礼貌。
When you say something like this, giving some details but not every detail.
当你像这样讲话时，你给出了一些详细内容，但又没有事无巨细全说出来。
This shows that you are engaged in the conversation, but it also shows that you understand the person you're talking to probably doesn't want to hear every single detail.
这表示你在对话时很专心，但也表示你知道跟你讲话的这个人可能并不想听到每一个细节。
Finally, it allows the other person to ask for more details if they're actually interested.
最后，这让对方有机会问你更多详细内容，如果他们真的感兴趣的话。
Instead of throwing information at someone, you're letting the other person choose where to take the conversation.
你在让对方选择如何引导对话，而不是直接把信息丢给他。
Let's look at some more examples of this: "They serve curries, kebabs, grilled chicken and that kind of thing."
我们再来看一些例子：“他们有咖喱、烤肉串、烤鸡之类的。”
"He told me about his new job, how his kids are doing, and so on."
“他跟我讲了他的新工作，他孩子的近况等等。”
"We could go see a film, or go for a walk or something like that."
“我们可以去看一部电影，或者散个步，诸如此类的。”
In all of these cases, we could continue the list, but we don't need to.
在上面所有的例子中，我们可以继续列举那些事项，但是没有必要。
Using vague language to avoid unnecessary detail is a very common and important use, but vague language also has other uses.Let's take a look.
用模糊语言来避免不必要的细节是一个很常见也很重要的用法，但是模糊语言还有其他的用法。我们来看一看。
Part two: using vague language to be indirect.
第二部分：用模糊语言使自己变得委婉些。
Imagine your friend comes to your home, you notice your friend looks cold, so you ask, “Shall I turn on the heater?”
假设你的朋友到你家来了，你注意到你的朋友看上去很冷，于是你问：“要我开暖气吗？”
Compare two answers: "Yes, please, it's cold in here."Or "Yes, please, it's kind of cold in here."What's the difference?
比较下面两种回答：“嗯，请开暖气，这里面好冷啊。”或者“嗯，请开暖气，这里面有点冷。”有什么区别？
The first answer sounds very direct, which could be quite impolite, sounds a bit like a criticism.
第一个回答听上去很直接，可能会显得很没礼貌，听上去有点像批评。
By using the phrase "kind of", the second answer is vaguer and therefore more indirect.
用了 "kind of" 这个短语之后，第二个回答意义变得模糊了些，因此变得更委婉了。
This makes it softer and more polite.You can use the phrase "kind of" or "sort of" in this way.
使回答的语气更柔和，更有礼貌。可以按这种方式使用短语 "kind of" 或 "sort of"。
For example: "Can I have some milk?The food's kind of spicy."
举个例子：“我能喝点牛奶吗？食物有点辣。”
Saying “The food is spicy” sounds very direct, and could sound rude."He sort of annoys me sometimes."
说“食物很辣”听上去非常直接，可能会显得很没有礼貌。“有时候他让我觉得有点烦。”
Of course this is a criticism of someone, but using "sort of" makes it softer.
当然了，这是对别人的批评，但是使用 "sort of" 让语气变得柔和了些。
"I kind of just want to stay in tonight."Saying “I want to stay in tonight” sounds very direct.
“我今天晚上有点只想待在家里。”说“我今天晚上想待在家里”听上去非常直接。
Adding "kind of" and "just" as well makes it sound softer.You might want to use this with times.
加上 "kind of" 和 "just" 让它听起来更柔和了。在叙述时间时可以用上模糊语言。
For example, you can use the word "about" or "around" when arranging to meet someone, especially if it's just a casual meeting.
比如你在安排与某人见面时，尤其是比较随便的那种会面，可以用上 "about" 或 "around"。
For example: "Let's meet at four."More direct, could sound more like an order.
举个例子：“我们四点见吧。”这个更直接，听上去可能更像命令。
"Let's meet at about four."More indirect, sounds more like a suggestion.
“我们大概四点见吧。”这个更委婉，听上去更像是建议。
"Can you get here at ten?", more direct."Can you get here around ten?", more indirect.
“你十点能到这儿吗？”，这个更直接。“你十点左右能到这儿吗？”，这个更委婉。
Of course, you don't always want to use vague language.
当然了，你不能一直用模糊语言。
If your friend needs to be here by ten o' clock at the latest, then you shouldn't say "Can you get there around ten?"
如果你的朋友需要最晚十点钟到这儿，那你就不应该说：“你十点左右能到这儿吗？”
But in other cases, using vague language will make you sound more indirect, friendly and generally more polite.
但是在其他情况下，使用模糊语言会让你听起来更委婉，友好并且更加有礼貌。
Part three: using vague language when you've forgotten a word or a name.
第三部分：忘记了单词或名字时使用模糊语言。
Many English learners complain that they can't remember vocabulary.
很多学英语的人抱怨说他们记不住单词。
Well, I have good news: you don't always need to!
我有一个好消息：你不总是需要背单词。
No native speaker knows every word in English, and native speakers also forget words all the time.
没有英语母语者认识所有的英语单词，英语母语者也总是忘记单词。
So what can you do if you can't remember the word for something?
那么如果想不起来表示某物的单词，你能怎么办呢？
Vague language can be your friend!Take a look: "What does this thingy do?"
模糊语言可以助你一臂之力！看一下：“这个小东西是干什么的？”
"Well, you can use this little whatsit to take out your SIM card."
“你可以用这个小玩意儿把你的 SIM 卡拿出来。”
Or "I found this little metal thingamajig in my desk drawer.I've no idea where it came from."
或者“我在我桌子抽屉里发现了这个小的金属物件。我不知道它是从哪儿来的。”
Words like "thingy" or "whatsit" or "thingamajig", these are not normally used in written English.
"thingy"，"whatsit"，"thingamajig" 这样的词通常不会用在英语书面语中。
But you can use them whenever you're speaking if you don't know what something is called.
但是在口语中，当你不知道某个东西叫什么时就可以用这些词代替。
You can also do this with people if you've forgotten someone's name.
如果你忘记了某个人的名字，也可以找词来代替。
For example: "I've got a meeting with whatsisface from the ad company tomorrow."
举个例子：“我明天要和广告公司的那谁开会。”
Or "He's moving in with whatsername, you know, that girl he met at his friend's wedding."
或者“他要和那谁同居了，就是他在他朋友的婚礼上遇见的那个女孩。”
"Whatsisface" is a word made from the question “What is his face,” which makes no sense, and it's not really very clear where it comes from.
"whatsisface" （那谁），是从 "What is his face" 演化而来的一个单词，没有什么意思，我也不太清楚这个词是从哪儿来的。
"Whatsername" is easier to understand: it's made up from the question “What is her name.”
"whatsername" 更容易理解，它是由 "What is her name" 这个问题组成的单词。
You can change the words to talk about men or women: "whatsisface"/"whatserface", "whatsisname"/"whatsername".
你可以把这两个词变一下，用来谈论男性或女性："whatsisface"/"whatserface"，"whatsisname"/"whatsername"。
Again, these words cannot be used in written English!
还是一样，这些词不能用在英语的书面语当中！
They are also very informal, so you really shouldn't use them unless you really know the person you're talking to well.
这些词还很不正式，所以除非你跟和你讲话的那个人非常熟，否则真的不应该用这些词。
You should also never use these words directly to someone's face.
你还永远不能直接当着别人的面用这些词。
You can't say: "Hey, whatsisface!Good to see you, but I've forgotten your name."
你不能说：“嘿，那谁！很高兴见到你，但是我忘记你叫什么名字了。”
That doesn't sound good at all!Part four: using vague language to be rude.
那听起来一点儿也不好！第四部分：用模糊语言来表现得无礼。
Before, we saw how you can use vague language to sound more indirect or polite.
我们在前面讲了如何用模糊语言使自己听起来更委婉或有礼貌。
Sometimes, you can also use vague language to show that you don't want to talk to someone.
有时候你也可以用模糊语言来显示你不想跟某人说话。

For example, if you ask someone, “What did you do at the weekend,” and the person answers by saying, “Stuff,” this sounds rude.
举个例子，如果你问别人：“你这个周末做了什么”，而那个人回答说：“事情”，这听起来就很无礼。
This is like saying, “I don't want to tell you.”
这就像是在说：“我不想告诉你。”
Another example, if you ask your friend, “What do you want to do tomorrow,” and your friend says, “Whatever,” this also could sound quite rude.
另一个例子，如果你问你朋友：“你明天想干什么”，而你的朋友说：“随便”，这听起来可能也会很无礼。
It's like saying, “I don't care what we do.”
就像是在说：“我才不在乎我们做什么。”
Generally, using vague language in a very short answer—one or two words—can sound rude.It can sound like you don't want to talk to someone.
一般来说，在很简短的回答中，一两个字的回答中用模糊语言会听起来很无礼。听起来可能像你不想跟某人讲话。
So, use vague language when you speak, but remember that how you use it is important.
那么，讲话的时候请用上模糊语言，但是要记住，用法很重要。
OK, that's the end of the lesson.I hope you learned some new stuff about...whatchamacallit...vague language.
好了，今天的课就到此结束了。希望你学到了关于......叫什么来着......模糊语言的一些新知识。
And you can see some more of our free English lessons and other stuff like that on our website: www. oxfordonlineenglish. com.
更多免费英语课程及其他类似内容请登陆我们的网站 www. oxfordonlineenglish. com。
Thanks for watching, and see you next time!
感谢你的观看，下次见！