ESL Podcast 289 - Communication Problems
to communicate - to share one's ideas, thoughts, and feelings with another person, and in return understand that person's ideas, thoughts, and feelings
Do you think people communicate more or less now that we have email?
dialogue - a conversation or discussion between two people
Two people were having a strange dialogue on the bus this morning.
dysfunctional - not working properly; not working as it should; not effective
Sharon has a dysfunctional relationship with her mother. They haven't spoken to each other in years.
pattern - the way that something happens repeatedly over time; the way that something is done many times
Lately Phou has been in a bad pattern of eating unhealthy food at his desk because he has too much work to do and can't take a lunch break.
foundation - an idea or fact that something is based on and grows from; an idea or fact that makes something else possible
The foundation for their marriage is that they trust, respect, and love each other very much.
to relate to (someone) - to understand and be understood by someone; to understand another person's thoughts and feelings; to understand and be connected to someone
It's difficult for me to relate to Samantha because she is so rich and always wants to do and buy expensive things.
to grow apart - to have a relationship become more distant over time; to slowly become less connected to another person
Even though we thought we would be friends forever, we grew apart after our high school graduation.
cornerstone - the most important part of something, and what everything else is supported by; the critical thing that holds something else up
Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of American society.
sympathetic - understanding and sharing the same feelings as another person; sharing another person's feelings
When Marie's father was very sick, her teachers were sympathetic, letting her stay home and take tests later.
to validate - to agree with someone that something is true or correct; to prove that something is true or correct
Dr. Huang's beliefs were validated by her research.
to make (someone) a deal - to offer to do something for someone in exchange for that person doing something in return
Alicia's parents made her a deal. They said that if she did better in school, they would allow her to take music lessons.
to put (one's) foot down - to insist on something; to demand that something does or does not happen
Anton finally put his foot down and told his boss that he wasn't going to work late at night anymore.
hostile - angry; confrontational; very unfriendly; aggressive
Don't be hostile when a police officer gives you a ticket, or you might create a bigger problem.