Introduction: Standard American English Tips

    標準英語小貼士

    Speaking English is not only about using proper grammar. To use English effectively, you need to understand the culture in which it is spoken. Here are a number of important tips to remember when speaking English in the United States.

    說英語不僅僅要語法正確。想要有效的使用英語，你需要了解語言使用國的文化。如果你在美國說英語，那么下面這些注意事項是你應該了解的。

    General Points to Remember

    你需要記住的是：

    * Most Americans only speak English: While it is true that more and more Americans speak Spanish, most Americans only speak English. Don't expect them to understand your native language.

    大部分美國人只說英語：現在越來越多的美國人能說西班牙語是事實，但是大部分的美國人只說英語，所以別指望他們能聽懂你的母語。

    * Americans have difficulties understanding foreign accents: Many Americans are not used to foreign accents. This requires patience from both of you!

    美國人理解外國口音有困難：很多美國人不習慣外國口音，所以你們交談雙方都需要有耐心。

    Conversation Tips

    交談溝通秘籍

    * Speak about location: Americans love to talk about location. When speaking to a stranger, ask them where they are from and then make a connection with that place. For example: "Oh, I have a friend who studied in Los Angeles. He says it's a beautiful place to live." Most Americans will then willingly talk about their experiences living or visiting that particular city or area.

    談論地點：美國人喜歡談論地點。和陌生人說話的時候，可以問問他們從哪里來然后找到自己跟那個地方的聯系。比如可以說："啊，我有個朋友在洛杉磯學習，他說那地方很漂亮。"這時大部分美國人就會很愿意談起他們居住或者到過那個特殊的地方或地區的經歷。

    * Talk about work: Americans commonly ask "What do you do?". It's not considered impolite （as in some countries） and is a popular topic of discussion between strangers.

    談論工作：美國人通常會問"What do you do?"在某些國家會被認為這是不禮貌的，但美國不是的，這只是陌生人之間聊天的一個流行話題。

    * Talk about sports: Americans love sports! However, they love American sports. When speaking about football, most Americans understand "American Football", not soccer.

    談論運動：美國人超愛運動！不過，他們喜歡美國的運動。如果說到football,大部分美國人會理解成橄欖球而不是足球。

    * Be careful when expressing ideas about race, religion or other sensitive topics: The United States is a multi-cultural society. Especially in the last few years, Americans are trying very hard to be sensitive to other cultures and ideas. Talking about sensitive topics like religion or beliefs, is often avoided in order to be sure not to offend someone of a different belief system. This is often referred to as being "politically correct".

    說到種族、宗教或者其他敏感話題要小心：美國是一個多文化的社會。特別是近幾年，美國人對其他文化和觀點非常特別的敏感。像宗教或者信仰之類的敏感話題通常都不會在談話中提及，以免冒犯別人。這就是經常被提到的"政治正確".

    Addressing People

    稱呼

    * Use last names with people you do not know: Address people using their title （Mr, Ms, Dr） and their last names.

    對不認識的人要稱呼他們的姓：用他們的頭銜（先生、女士、博士等）加上他們的姓。

    * Always use "Ms" when addressing women: It is important to use "Ms" when addressing a woman. Only use "Mrs" when the woman has asked you to do so!

    稱呼女性的時候通常用"Ms":稱呼女性的時候用"Ms",這很重要。如果對方要求你稱呼"Mrs" 那再照辦好了。

    * Many Americans prefer first names: Americans often prefer using first names, even when dealing with people in very different positions. Americans will generally say, "Call me Tom." and then expect you to remain on a first name basis.

    很多人喜歡被叫名字：美國人通常喜歡用他們的名字，即使是和身份非常不同的人打交道。他們通常會說，"叫我Tom",然后真的希望你用他們的名字來稱呼他們（不是客氣的哦）.

    * Americans prefer informal: In general, Americans prefer informal greetings and using first names or nicknames when speaking with colleagues and acquaintances.

    美國人不拘小節：通常情況下，美國人喜歡非正式的問候，提到他們的同事或者使用名字或者熟人的時候喜歡用昵稱。

    Public Behavior

    注意公共場合的行為

    * Always shake hands: Americans shake hands when greeting each other. This is true for both men and women. Other forms of greeting such as kissing on the cheeks, etc., is generally not appreciated.

    常握手：美國人相互致意的時候喜歡握手，這是男女通用的。其他的比如親吻臉頰之類的方式是非常不推薦的。

    * Look your partner in the eye: Americans look each other in the eyes when they are speaking as a way of showing that they are sincere.

    看對方的眼睛：美國人想要表達關注的時候會在說話的時候看著對方的眼睛。

    * Don't hold hands: Same sex friends do not usually hold hands or put their arms around each other in public in the United States.

    別拉手：在美國，同性朋友們在公共場合不太會手拉手或者挽住對方的胳膊。

    * Smoking is Out!!: Smoking, even in public places, is strongly disapproved of by most Americans in the modern United States.

    吸煙很老土！！：在當代的美國，吸煙，尤其是在公共場合吸煙，是非常不被大眾接受的行為。