Listening for Inference: What Do They Really Mean?
CEFR Level B1Lesson Goals
In this lesson, you will learn to listen for implied meaning. This skill, called inference, helps you understand what people really mean, even when they don't say it directly.
What is Inference?
Inference is like being a detective. You use clues from the situation (the context) and the words you hear to find a "hidden" meaning. People use implied meaning all the time to be polite or indirect.
For example, imagine it's a very hot April afternoon in Siem Reap. A friend visits your house and says, "Wow, it's really warm in here today." They are not just stating a fact about the temperature; they are probably implying, "Could we please turn on the fan?"
In this lesson, we will focus on the clues in the words and context to find the real message.
Key Tip: Culture and Politeness
Why don't people just say what they mean? Often, it's about being polite. In many cultures, including English-speaking ones, saying "No" or "I need help" directly can sometimes feel too strong or even rude.
Using indirect language is a softer, more polite way to communicate. As your English improves, you'll get better at noticing these social rules and understanding the true meaning behind polite phrases.
Practice Activities
Listen to the dialogues in the audio player and choose the best inference for each situation.
-
Indirect Request
Two colleagues are at work. What does Speaker A really mean?
Speaker A: "This box is so heavy, I can't lift it by myself."
Speaker B: "Oh, that does look heavy. Let me help you with that."
Show Answer
Answer: B. By stating a problem they can't solve alone, Speaker A is implying that they need assistance.
-
Polite Refusal
What is Lina's implied answer to Dara's invitation?
Dara: "Hi Lina, a few of us are going to see a movie tonight. Do you want to come?"
Lina: "Oh, that sounds fun, but I have a big test tomorrow morning that I need to study for."
Show Answer
Answer: B. Lina never says "no," but giving a strong reason (a big test) is a polite way to refuse the invitation.
Vocabulary
-
Implied Meaning (noun phrase) [អត្ថន័យបង្កប់]
An idea or feeling suggested indirectly, not stated outright.
-
Inference (noun) [ការសន្និដ្ឋាន]
The process of figuring out an implied meaning using clues.
-
Context (noun) [បរិបទ]
The situation in which something happens, which helps you understand it.
-
Indirect (adjective) [ដោយប្រយោល]
Not direct or straightforward; saying something in a roundabout way.
Your Mission
Become an inference detective! Try these tasks to practice your new skill.
- Listen for Clues: In conversations today (in English or Khmer!), listen for one example of someone being indirect. What did they say, and what did they really mean?
- Practice Politeness: Think of a situation where you have to say "no" to a friend's invitation. How can you say it politely and indirectly, without using the word "no"?