Speaking: Interactive Communication B1 - Lesson 5
Function: Handling Simple Interruptions
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use polite phrases to interrupt someone, handle an interruption, and get a conversation back on track.
Conversation Scenario: A Team Meeting
In meetings or group discussions, it's sometimes necessary to interrupt1 to ask an important question or add a key idea. Doing this politely is a very important communication skill.
Manager: ...so, the first step is to do market research. Then, we need to analyze the data, and after that, we...
You: Sorry to interrupt, but2 could I ask a quick question about the budget?
Manager: That's a good question. If I could just finish this point,3 I'll get to the budget next.
You: Of course. Sorry about that.
Manager: No problem. Anyway, as I was saying,4 after we analyze the data, we will create a report. Now, let's talk about the budget...
Your Interaction Toolkit
Function: Interrupting Politely
- to interrupt: To stop someone from speaking by saying something yourself: រំខាន / កាត់ចង្វាក់ ↩
- Sorry to interrupt, but...: The most common and polite way to begin an interruption: សុំទោសដែលរំខាន ប៉ុន្តែ... ↩
- If I could just jump in here...: A slightly more formal way to enter the conversation.
Function: Holding the Floor (Politely stopping an interruption)
- If I could just finish...: A polite way to ask the interrupter to let you finish your thought: បើខ្ញុំអាចបញ្ចប់...សិន ↩
- Hold on one second.: A slightly more informal way to ask someone to wait: រង់ចាំមួយភ្លែត
Function: Getting Back on Track
- As I was saying...: Use this to return to your original point after an interruption: ដូចដែលខ្ញុំបាននិយាយអញ្ចឹង... ↩
- Anyway, where were we?: Another common phrase to return to the topic.
The Intonation of Interruptions
Your intonation is key to being polite when interrupting.
- When you interrupt, your voice should be soft and have a rising, questioning tone. It shows you feel bad for interrupting.
Example: "Sorry to interrupt, but...? ↗" - When you hold the floor, your voice should be polite but firm, with a falling intonation. It shows you want to finish your point.
Example: "If I could just finish this point... ↘"
The "Apologize - Interrupt - Return" Formula
Here is a safe, three-step formula for interrupting politely.
Step 1: Apologize. Always start with a polite opening.
"Excuse me for a second..."
Step 2: Interrupt. Make your point or ask your question quickly and clearly.
"...but I have an urgent phone call I need to take."
Step 3: Return. If appropriate, hand the conversation back to the speaker.
"Sorry about that. Please, continue."
Practice Handling Interruptions
Activity 1: What's the Function?
Match the phrase to its primary function.
- As I was saying...
- Sorry to interrupt, but...
- If I could just finish my point...
- A. Interrupting politely
- B. Getting the conversation back on track
- C. Holding the floor (stopping an interruption)
(Answers: 1 -> B, 2 -> A, 3 -> C)
Activity 2: Role-Play Interruption
Work with a partner. Student A, you are telling a long story about your weekend trip to Kep. Student B, you must politely interrupt Student A to ask an important question (e.g., "Sorry to interrupt, but what time is our English class today?"). Student A should politely respond, and then Student B should hand the conversation back.
Your Communication Mission
This week in Battambang, you do not need to practice interrupting people!
Instead, your mission is to listen for interruptions in English movies, TV shows, or online videos. Pay attention to the language people use. How do they interrupt? How do others react? Noticing these patterns is the first step to mastering this skill.