C1 Listening for Inference: Identifying Underlying Assumptions and Unstated Points of View
Welcome to C1! Today is Wednesday, June 11th, 2025. In this lesson, we will practice one of the most advanced critical listening skills: identifying a speaker's underlying assumptions1 and their unstated points of view2.
1. Listening for What Isn't Said
An "assumption" is a belief a speaker accepts as true without needing to prove it; their whole argument is built on it. To find it, ask yourself: "What must this person believe is true for their argument to make sense?" This will help you find their true, unstated point of view.
2. Practice Text: "Development in Siem Reap"
Let's practice. You will hear a short talk from a long-time resident of Siem Reap. Listen carefully to identify their unstated point of view and the assumptions behind their words.
"It's truly wonderful that so many new, modern cafes and international restaurants are opening up all over the city. It gives us so many more choices. The city is starting to feel much more cosmopolitan4. I just think it's a shame that some of the old, traditional wooden shophouses are being torn down to make way for them. We need to be careful not to lose the unique character that made this town so special in the first place."
3. Analyzing the Assumptions and Viewpoint
Let's analyze the speaker's subtext by asking some critical questions.
- Stated Opinions: What two (conflicting) feelings does the speaker state directly?
- Underlying Assumption: What does the speaker assume is true about "development" or "progress"?
- Unstated Point of View: By combining these ideas, what is the speaker's deeper, unstated viewpoint about the changes in Siem Reap?
Click to Show Analysis
Analysis:
1. They state they are happy about the new, modern places, but they also think it's a "shame" to lose the old buildings.
2. They assume that development is a force that can destroy tradition and character; that the two things are in conflict.
3. The speaker's unstated viewpoint is one of ambivalence3. They are conflicted, seeing both the positive and negative sides of modernization in their city. They are warning that progress might come at the cost of cultural identity.
Final Quiz: Identify the Assumption
Listen to this short statement from a company manager. What is their unstated assumption about their employees?
Manager's Statement: (Listen to the audio)
What is the manager's unstated assumption about the employees?
- (a) They are all hardworking and don't need to be monitored.
- (b) They are naturally trustworthy and will be more productive without software.
- (c) They might not be working productively on their own and require monitoring to ensure focus.
Click to Show Answers
Answer: (c). The manager's argument (that monitoring software is needed to ensure focus) only makes sense if they first assume that, without monitoring, employees are not focused. This is the unstated belief that justifies their action.
Homework Task
1. Analyze an Advertisement: Watch an ad for a luxury car or an expensive watch. The ad probably never mentions the price. What does the ad want you to *assume* about the product and the people who own it? (e.g., that owning it brings happiness, success, adventure, etc.)
2. Identify Your Own Assumptions: Think about a strong opinion you have. What are the underlying assumptions you hold that lead you to this opinion? This is a difficult but very rewarding critical thinking exercise.
Vocabulary Glossary
- Underlying Assumption (noun phrase) - [Khmer: ការសន្មត់ជាមូលដ្ឋាន] - A belief or idea that is accepted as true and serves as the foundation for an argument, but is not stated directly. ↩
- Unstated Point of View (noun phrase) - [Khmer: ទស្សនៈដែលមិនបានបញ្ជាក់] - The speaker's overall perspective or opinion that is not said directly but can be inferred from their words and assumptions. ↩
- Ambivalence (noun) - [Khmer: ការមិនច្បាស់លាស់] - The state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone. ↩
- Cosmopolitan (adjective) - [Khmer: លក្ខណៈសកល] - Containing or influenced by people and culture from all over the world. ↩