This English language reduction is used often especially
in places like New York. If you travel to New York you
might listen to a native English speaker shout out "Hey,
whaddaya doing" to someone if they are angry.
Note: Reductions
Remember the following:
Reductions are reduced forms of
English words.
Reductions, such as whaddaya are
not real words in English.
You need to use reductions in
order to sound more natural.
You need to know reductions in
order to understand conversations between native
English speakers.
Reductions are used extensively
in American TV, movies, music, literature, and in
conversations among native English speakers.
Reductions In Music and TV
Chris Stapleton - What Are You Listening
To?
Christopher Alvin Stapleton (born April 15, 1978) is an American
singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. He was born in
Lexington, Kentucky, and grew up in Staffordsville, Kentucky, until
moving to Nashville, Tennessee, in 2001 to pursue a career in music
writing songs. Subsequently, Stapleton signed a contract with Sea
Gayle Music to write and publish his music.
This video is a good example of the usage of "whaddaya",
and "whatsiz" English language
reductions.
Use a
dictionary
to look up words you do not understand.
Lyrics
I put that record on
Girl, you know what song
And I let it play again and again
You're in every line
Takes me back in time
Yeah, tonight I'm wondering Whaddaya listening to?
Is it a cover band?
In some college town bar
Where it's na, na, na's
And air guitars
Or is it?
Something to get you through
Just a sad song playing on the radio station
Tears still falling
Heart's still breaking
'Cause you're hanging on
Or is it a love song?
About someone new? Whaddaya listening to?
I like to believe
That you're just like me
Trying to figure out how a good thing goes bad
I don't know
I can't let it go
Yeah, it's about to drive me mad Whaddaya listening to?
Is it a cover band?
In some college town bar
Where it's na, na, na's
And air guitars
Or is it?
Something to get you through
Just a sad song playing on the radio station
Tears still falling
Heart's still breaking
'Cause you're hanging on
Or is it a love song?
About someone new? Whaddaya listening to?
Is it a feel good song
Gets you driving too fast
The one that gets you moving
On past the past
Or the kind that you can't help singing along
Singing woah-oh-oh-ohhh
If it's headphones on
On a downtown train
Or the window seat
On an outbound plane
Is it LA sunny?
Or Memphis blue?
I wish I knew
I wish I knew Whaddaya listening to?
Is it a cover band?
In some college town bar
Where it's na, na, na's
And air guitars
Or is it?
Something to get you through
Just a sad song playing on the radio station
Tears still falling
Heart's still breaking
'Cause you're hanging on
Or is it a love song?
About someone new? Whaddaya listening to?
Additional Lessons
About These
Lessons
The following classroom lessons are great for students
who want additional conversation, listening, and reading
practice.
Conversation Lesson -
Advanced
Level. Dialogs for everyday use.
Short situational dialogs for students of English as
a Foreign (EFL) or Second (ESL) Language with a
written conversation and a conversation notes
section.
Conversation Lesson
11 - At the Doctor’s Office
(Advanced -
Conversation, Reading)
Dialogs for everyday use. Short situational dialogs for
students of English as a Foreign (EFL) or Second (ESL)
Language.
At the Doctor’s Office
DOCTOR: What seems to be the problem?
CATHY: Well, I have a bad cough and a sore
throat. I also have a headache.
DOCTOR: How long have you had these
symptoms?
CATHY: About three days now. And I’m
really tired, too.
DOCTOR: Hmm. It sounds like you’ve got the
flu. Take aspirin every four hours and get plenty of rest. Make sure you drink
lots of fluids. Call me if you’re still sick next week.
CATHY: OK, thanks.
Conversation Notes
What seems to be the problem? means “What is the
problem?” Notice that the intonation falls at the end of the question. The
doctor wants information, not a “yes/no” answer.
Well is used as an introductory word. Notice how the
vowel is drawn out, to sound like “Weeeeeell …” This can be used as a way to
“buy time” while you think about what you want to say next.
A bad cough … a sore throat … a headache: Notice the
article “a” before each symptom.
About is used to mean “more or less.” It’s used here to
give an estimate of time.
Take aspirin … get rest … Make sure … Call me: Notice
the doctor uses the simple tense here to give instructions. This is the
imperative form of the verb.
This is a collection of 30 situational conversations
which focus on a wide variety of communicative and
natural encounters in English....these
lessons are for beginning students.
This is a collection of 36 situational conversations
which focus on spoken American English in a relatively
natural way....these
lessons are for intermediate students.
The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this
topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section,
and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program
Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
The complete lesson includes an audio program explaining this
topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section,
and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program
Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
The lesson includes an audio program explaining this
topic, the script for the audio program, a words in this story section,
and other important information.
Click for the complete lesson
Audio Program
Listen to the audio program explaining this topic.
Hey Students,
Use this dictionary and reference to look up any words you do not
understand in Fun Easy English.
