Question

Write a story, between 150 and 250 words, with this title: A misunderstanding. Use an incident that happened to you, or make up a story, where there was a misunderstanding due to language (a foreign languag or the same language). Use adverbs and adverbial phrases to make your story as lively as possible.

Answer 1

Once I had a misunderstanding because of the English language. I flew to Australia to get to know this country. I had to cross the lake by boat. Some grandfather was standing by the river, transporting people, he did not speak English. I tried to explain to him, waving my hands, pointing to the boat, and finally he understood me. But the river bank was big, and we didn't get in what place I need. I began to explain to him again on my fingers what I need. As if he understood me. We swim. I look, again not the place that I need. I start screaming with anger. Moment. I capsized the boat! Oh no! I'm in the middle of the river with some grandfather. We turned the boat back. We sat down in it and sat in silence. I point him to the opposite shore. He swam where I needed to go. We came! I thanked him, paid and left. Here is the funny story.

Answer 2

Title: A Misunderstanding

It was a sunny afternoon, and I decided to explore a charming little town nestled in the heart of Italy during my summer vacation. As I strolled through the cobblestone streets, I stumbled upon a quaint café with colorful umbrellas shading its outdoor tables. I couldn't resist the inviting aroma of espresso wafting from within.

I found an empty table and greeted the waiter with a cheerful "Ciao!" He smiled warmly and handed me a menu. Eager to immerse myself in the local culture, I decided to order in Italian, even though my language skills were far from fluent.

When the waiter returned, I confidently said, "Vorrei una bistecca," thinking I had ordered a steak. His eyes widened in surprise, and he replied, "D'accordo," and scurried away. I sipped my espresso and waited for my meal.

To my astonishment, when the dish arrived, it wasn't a steak but a plate of perfectly grilled fish. I was puzzled and called the waiter back, trying to convey my confusion with hand gestures. He chuckled and explained, "Mi scusi, Signore. Vorrei means 'I would like,' and you asked for 'I would like a fish.' Bistecca is steak. You should have said 'Vorrei una bistecca.'"

I couldn't help but laugh at my linguistic mishap. We both shared a friendly chuckle, and he kindly brought me the steak I had initially intended. The misunderstanding turned into a delightful exchange, and I left the café not only with a full belly but also a memorable story of my linguistic adventure in Italy.