Curated and contributed by Hanh Nguyen and Alex Olson, TESOL Program, Hawaii Pacific University
An American woman, Brontë, and a French man, George, entered into a fake marriage in the US. This is so that George can get a green card and Brontë can rent an apartment with a garden. When the government comes to check on the marriage, they have to pretend to be a real couple, which makes things interesting. This clip is at the very beginning when their mutual friend Antone introduces them, and then they get "married" in court.
Antone: Look at you!
Brontë: Hi, Anton. Oh!
Antone: I've never seen you all dressed up like this.
Brontë: Well, do I look the part?
Antone: Sure. Look at me.
Brontë: Oh.
Antone: Coffee?
Brontë: Oh. No. Yes! Oh, I'm so nervous.
Antone: Well, you're supposed to be nervous on your wedding day.
Brontë: Oh, right, right.
Antone: You really look absolutely gorgeous.
Brontë: Oh, thanks. I borrowed the dress.
Antone: It's a marvelous thing you're doing, Brontë. Really.
Brontë: Oh, Anton, please, no speeches.
Antone: I think you and Georges will...
Brontë: No speeches.
Antone: Okay, no speeches.
Antone: Hey, hey, Georges!
Antone: Coming?
(after wedding)
Crowd: More! More!
George: Nice to meet you.
Brontë: You too.
George: You were very good.
Brontë: So were you!
Movie Synopsis “Elf” (2003)
An orphan climbs into Santa's toy bag and stows away to the North Pole, where he's adopted by elves who raise him as their own as Buddy, the elf. Buddy grows up to be three times taller than the rest of the elves. After a series of discoveries, he learns he's human. He embraces his newfound identity and sets off on a journey to New York City to meet his birth family.
This clip from the movie shows Buddy going to his father’s office at the Empire State Building. There, he meets his co-workers: Jack, Sarah, Francisco, and Deborah.
Clip Transcript (First 40 seconds):
Jack: Hey Walter!
Walter: Morning, Jack.
Buddy: Morning, Jack.
Sarah: Good morning, Mr. Hobbs!
Walter: Good morning, Sarah.
Buddy: Good morning, Sarah. That’s a nice purple dress! Very purplely.
Walter: Francisco-
Francisco: Hello Mr. Hobbs-
Buddy: Francisco, that’s fun to say!
Buddy (to Deborah): Hi! Do you remember me?
Deborah: Hi! I didn’t recognize you!
Buddy: I know, I’m in work clothes!
(Deborah gives coffee to Buddy and Walter)
Buddy: Thank you, Deborah!
Walter: Thanks.
Buddy: Deb, you have a such a pretty face, it should be on a Christmas Card!
Deborah: Oh, you just made my day!
1. Fill in this table with the language expressions for compliments and their responses based on the clips above:
Compliment Expressions Response Expressions
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2. Do people give compliments in the same way in your own language? What do people say to express a similar compliment?
3. How would you respond to each of the compliment above in your own language? in English?
4. Based on the clips above and based on your knowledge, what are the things that people usually compliment on in English?
5. What else can we compliment about other people?
6. What are some things that people do not generally compliment on in English?
7. What do people usually give compliments on in your culture? What are some things that should not be complimented on?
Get in pairs and give three compliments to your partner in English. You can include at least one about appearance and at least one about personality. Respond to your partner's compliments about you appropriately.
Walk around the room and give a compliment to each of your classmate in English. Respond to compliments that people give you appropriately.