PRESENTATION ON:REPORTED SPEECH

Kazi Sazed SalmanDaffodil International UniversityID No: 111-23-130

Introduction:

We often have to give information about what people say or think. In order to do this we can use direct or quoted speech, or indirect or reported speech.

But in communicative language it can be said that we use direct speech rarely or very often. Because in the time of talking or communicating with others we don’t use that thing one has said particularly. Rather we express it in our words as it’s reference.

As example, suppose Rean is my friend. Rean said me, “I am going to Chittagong now.”So, as when I have to express it to someone, I wont tell it as like just a copy of Rean’s word. Rather than I will say to some one like that: Rean told(or said to) me that she was going to Chittagong then. So, then it listens good and clear for my listener and seems comfortable for me.

And that’s why indirect speech is a important part of grammar to apply someone’s word properly by a speaker.

I am taking a photo of

you

The photographer said to me that he was taking a

photo of me

this is the process and use of reported speech in communication

Direct Speech / Quoted Speech: Saying exactly what someone has said is called direct speech .It appears within quotation marks ("...") and should be word for word.

Indirect Speech / Reported Speech: Indirect speech doesn't use quotation marks to enclose what the person said and it doesn't have to be word for word.

As a example: "I'm going to the cinema", he said. (Q.S.) He said that he was going to the cinema. (R.S)

Main Changes Necessary to Know of Reported Speech:

Tense Change

Modal Verb Change

Pronoun Change

Time & Place Change

Tense Change:Direct Speech Reported Speech

Simple Present Simple Past

Present Continuous Past C0ntinuous

Present Perfect Past Perfect

Present Perfect Continuous

Past Perfect Continuous

Simple Past Past Perfect

Past Continuous Past Perfect Continuous

Past Perfect Past Perfect

Past Perfect Continuous Past Perfect Continuous

Change of Modal Verbs:Will Would

Shall ShouldCan CouldMay MightMust Had to

There is no change to; could, would, should, might and

ought to. Example: “I might go to the cinema", he said. He said that he might go to the cinema.

Pronoun ChangeIn reported speech, the pronoun changes

according to the speaker. It is important that changing of pronoun mainly keeps the correct meaning of a reported sentence. A little pronoun mistake can change the whole meaning of reported speech.Example: “My sister, her friend, my cousin and I am going to picnic.” he said to his friend. He said to his friend that his sister, her friend, his cousin and he was going to picnic.

Time and Place change

this › that

these › those

now › then

today › that day

yesterday › the previous day

last weekend › the previous weekend

here › there

next (week) › the following (week)

tomorrow › the next/following day

In reported speech, some kinds of word which indicates time, being changed. As:

Changing into Reported Speech:Assertive Sentence: It is changed as rules those are described above and

with just using told or said to (someone) .Example: He said to me, “ I didn't go there.” He told me that he had not gone there.

Interrogative Sentence: in interrogative sentence, if there is any WH question word, then it will be as it is, just it have to be made assertive and asked (someone) in change of said. But, if there is a question starting with Be verb, then there will be ‘if’ after ‘asked’ and the sentence into assertive.Example: *He said, “where will you go?” He asked me where I would go. *He said to himself, “am I right?” He asked himself if he was right.

Imperative Sentence: In the time of changing imperative sentence, according to meaning of sentence, verb is used; as: advise, order, request, command etc. And to is used before the verb of Direct speech. No more change is necessary.Example: I said to her, “shut the door.” I ordered her to shut the door.

Optative Sentence: In changing into optative sentence the reporting verb ‘say’ is changed into ‘pray’ or ‘wish’. And the reported speech changes as assertive sentence rule.Example: Mother said, “may your dreams come true.” Mother wished that my dreams might come true.

Exclamatory Sentence: Reporting verb Changes into ‘exclaim, wish, cried out, etc’ and other part changes as assertive sentence. Sometimes additional words is being added according to meaning.Example: He said me, “Good morning , Sir! How are you?” Addressing me as sir he wished good morning and asked how I was.

Miscellaneous and Exceptional Rule: Scientific fact, universal truth and past historical matters are unchangeable. Here just only ‘that’ is added before reported speech, nothing else. Example: *Teacher said to the students, “Air is the mixture of many gases.” Teacher said to the students air is the mixture of many gases. *Teacher said, “ Akbar was one of the greatest king if India.” Teacher told that Akbar was one of the greatest king if India. *He said to his son, "Honesty is the best policy.” He said to his son that honesty is the best policy.

Note: sometimes where the reporter and reporting verb both are absent, there we can use a reporter and verb according to the meaning of reported speech.Example: “The earthquake happened at 7 pm.” Radio said that the earthquake had happened at & pm.

Hope you have enjoyed the presentation.

Thank you...