Yeah, I know what you mean. Before we started we had to tell the guy which method of data collecting we are going to use. A "written test" has many drawbacks- you know that it is only a test etc so no real emotions can be considered as a deciding factor. Though this way of gathering "speech acts" is by far the easiest one. The rest of my group decided to perform similar test only among Polish speakers and in Polish which made me like: "Doh, I'm a hardcore..." A year ago there was a team who dropped a pen in public places noting down their reactions. Kinda interesting but impossible to perform among English natives.

Location = UK (England)
Primary Language = English
Languages used to mutter under your breath at people: German, French, Japanese


1.You are a witness of a very serious car accident. You give first aid and you see a group of gathering people. You do not have a cell phone to call the ambulance and you must ask someone to do it.
2.You see a teenager littering at the front of your house. Take a verbal action.
3. You sit in a restaurant. Suddenly you smell gas. Warn the guests and the staff.
4. You work in a company and you have to take 2 additional days off though you have done it twice this month. Ask your boss.
5. You stay at you grandmother who is a bit deaf. She is watching a TV program and disturbs you in learning. React.

1. "Someone get an ambulance!"
2. "Oi! D'ya mind?!"
3. "You smell gas?"
4. "Is there any possibility of getting another two days off, I know I've already had four and if I had a choice I wouldn't but it's rather important. I'll work extra if needed to cover it."
5. I wouldn't react.

As people who have heard me on Teamspeak will tell you, I normally speak quite quietly but I can shout like a true South of the River fruit stall owner if needed ;) I've always thought of my accent as South Londonish although I come from Kent. I usually start sentances with strangers with " 'scuse me mate?" Everyone is 'mate'. Strange how things go like that, but I find that a more London based accent puts people more at ease than a rather posh accent which I can also do which tends to put people on guard, myself included :haha:

I'm up for dropping pens in public places and making notes for you.
Sounds mildly entertaining.

Fixed.

I approve of this change.
ed: photos to follow unless you all donate to Subsim.

1.You are a witness of a very serious car accident. You give first aid and you see a group of gathering people. You do not have a cell phone to call the ambulance and you must ask someone to do it.

One of you call 911 yet?

2.You see a teenager littering at the front of your house. Take a verbal action.

What the ell, dude. Pick it up or I feed it to ya.

3. You sit in a restaurant. Suddenly you smell gas. Warn the guests and the staff.

I would call over the waiter or host/hostess and simply note the odor - "There is a rather strong odor of propane. I think you may have a gas leak, might want to have everyone leave calmly until its found."

4. You work in a company and you have to take 2 additional days off though you have done it twice this month. Ask your boss.

"Man, I hate it, but I have to jet for a couple of days. Something has come up."

*Never ASK in such a situation - if you HAVE to take the days, make it a declaration. This says simply that there is no choice and no arguement, and you realize that there may be repercussions, but you must do what you must. This puts the "boss" in the position of having to either state what those repercussions are, which you respond with "I know, gotta do it though", or more often, they will ask "can't you just wait till the weekend?" or some such nonsense. At that point, who has the reigns? Just a word of advice*

5. You stay at you grandmother who is a bit deaf. She is watching a TV program and disturbs you in learning. React.

Her house - she has a right to watch the tv as loud as she needs given her hearing. If it was too loud just to have it loud then a request to have it turned down would not be uncouth - but knowing she has hearing issues, I either find a quieter place to study in the home, or leave to find one.

1: We have an emergency! Would someone call 911 NOW and hand me your phone, please?

2: <click> You know, Tommy, in my haste I forgot whether I remembered to load this revolver or not... Would you fancy a few MORE holes in that pretty face of yours?

3: EXCUSE ME! Does anyone else smell gas in here?

4: Boss, my brother is dying again. I really need to take two more days off to go to the funeral again.

5: Her house, her rules. I move.

1. Hey, call 911 because we got woman drivers here.

2. Son, I have a friend who are Native American and you better pick it up before he shed a tear.

3. Whoa, someone ate a load of beans! Somebody bring out the lighter and see what will happen!

4. Give me two day off or I will tell everyone that you're having an affair with your secretary!

5.
http://images.encyclopediadramatica....ollface_HD.jpg
"Problem, Grandma?"

I'm bored.

1.You are a witness of a very serious car accident. You give first aid and you see a group of gathering people. You do not have a cell phone to call the ambulance and you must ask someone to do it.

Someone call 911 this man needs help now!


2 You see a teenager littering at the front of your house. Take a verbal action..

“What the hell are you doing, pick that up and here is a trash can.”
Stern but not too strong.


3. You sit in a restaurant. Suddenly you smell gas. Warn the guests and the staff

Ask your table mates if they smell it also and if so tell the waiter or others that we smell gas and everyone should leave the restaurant.

4. You work in a company and you have to take 2 additional days off though you have done it twice this month. Ask your boss.

Would depend on who the boss is. If some I respected I would give him my best reasons and why it is important. Other wise would no doubt make up some thing drastic.

5. You stay at you grandmother who is a bit deaf. She is watching a TV program and disturbs you in learning. React.

It’s her house, go to another room!

Magic

1. Can someone with a mobile ring for an ambulance straight away.

2. Hey Dick.....pick that up now or you'll be the next piece of crap littering the pavement.

3. I believe I can smell gas, everyone should consider leaving the building.

4. I'm extremely sorry but I need another couple of days off.

6. I'm sorry Gran but would you mind if we turn the sound down a little.

I'll translate: (sorry I couldn't resist:D)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSHHb...eature=related

Hey gan canny little fella :DL

http://www.geordie.org.uk/