Speech Acts: Practice Compliments

Complimenting and Responding to Compliments in Spanish

Imagine each of the following situations. In each situation you will give a compliment and/or respond to the compliment. Read carefully each situation and when you are ready to begin the conversation, press the start arrow on each video control bar. Take a minute to look over the conversation. You will have 20 seconds to respond.

Situation 1: Pedro's watch

Male-male. Your roommate Pedro from Spain just bought a new watch with video and audio features. You are watching TV in your room when he opens the door.

Pedro: [Pedro says hi to you]

[Tone]

Tú: Greet him briefly, tell him you are watching a movie with Antonio Banderas. Then, compliment his new watch.

[Tone]

Pedro: [Responds]

[Tone]

Tú: Respond. Then, end the conversation and ask him if he wants to watch the movie with you.

[Tone]

Pedro: Responds.

Situation 2: Your host mother prepares a meal.

Host mother - Male or female student. You are having dinner with your host family. Your host mother has prepared a delicious Mexican meal for you. It was seasoned perfectly, not too spicy and not too bland.

Host mother: Your host mother brings more food to the table.

[Tone]

Tú: Comment on the guacamole.

Host mother: Responds.

[Tone]

Tú: Accept and ask her for the recipe.

Host mother: Responds.

Situation 3: iPod

Male-male. Today is your first day at your host family's house in (Spanish-speaking country of your preference). You are unpacking your suitcase in the bedroom you are sharing with your American roommate. You have a new iPod and speakers that you bought especially for listening to music of the host country during your stay.

Mike: As you are unpacking, your roommate comments on your ipod.

[Tone]

Tú: Respond. Then, ask him if he really likes it.

Mike: He responds.

[Tone]

Tú: Respond. Then, end the conversation.

Situation 4: New hair-do

Female-female. Your best friend Norma from Venezuela just got a hair cut. You and Norma agree to meet at the movie theatre to see a movie. You see her waiting next to the ticket window. When you get there she starts the conversation.

Norma: She greets you.

[Tone]

Tú: Greet her and compliment her on her new hair style.

Norma: She responds.

[Tone]

Tú: Respond. Tell her you will buy the tickets.

[Tone]

Norma: She ends the conversation and both go to see the movies.