“Could You Repeat That?”: When English Gets You Ignored
Let’s play a workplace drinking game:
Take a sip every time someone in your meeting says, “Sorry, could you repeat that?”
(Disclaimer: You’ll be under the table by 10:15am.)
You deliver your idea — maybe a little quietly, or with a nervous accent wobble — and what happens?
Dead eyes.
A polite “Sorry, what was that?”
Or, even worse: complete silence, followed by someone else repeating the exact same idea and getting a standing ovation.
😤 Why Does This Keep Happening?
Newsflash:
It’s NOT because your ideas suck.
It’s because, in high-speed business English, native speakers tune out anything that sounds “hard to follow” — usually because of:
- Flat or unclear pronunciation
- Words running into each other (or NOT linking — see Linking Sounds Like a Native)
- Mumbling
- Not enough vocal “oomph”
If you’ve ever felt invisible in a Zoom call, join the club. There’s a velvet rope for clear, confident communicators. Your accent isn’t the bouncer, but it sure is the guy who checks your ID.
🤔 The Silent Cost of Not Being Heard
- You get passed over for promotions.
- Your ideas go unnoticed until they come out of someone else’s mouth.
- Your confidence tanks, so you speak up even less next time.
If you’re here, it’s because you’re done playing business wallflower.
The “Repeat That” Fix
1. Target Your Clarity Killers
Do people struggle to understand certain words every time? (Pro tip: It’s probably those beach/b*tch, TH, or W vs V landmines.)
2. Master Strategic Pausing and Linking
Sounding native doesn’t mean rushing — it means linking sounds naturally and pausing for drama.
Think: “Let’s move it along.” → “Let’s-move-it-along.” Not: “Let’s. Move. It. Along.”
3. Record, Replay, Roast Yourself
Say what you want to say, record it, and listen back. If you get bored or lost — so will everyone else.
4. Learn Power Intonation
If you’re always “requesting” instead of “stating,” your ideas float away. Push the important words. Play with volume.
The Meeting Ninja Script
Try this at your next meeting:
Instead of:
“I… um… think we should try a new platform?”
Say:
“I recommend we try a new platform.”
Notice the difference? You just upgraded your English to “boardroom-ready.”
💬 Don’t Be Afraid to Call It Out
If you get asked to repeat yourself, own it:
“Sure, let me say that again, more clearly.”
You’re not “bad at English.” You’re just warming up. It’s the corporate equivalent of clearing your throat.
Related Posts for Mastery
- 10 English Phrases Every Manager Needs in Zoom Meetings
- Real Talk: What Your Accent Might Be Costing You at Work
- English at the Office: Speak Like You Belong in the C-Suite
Ready for People to Actually Listen to You?
Let’s fix it together — for real, this time.
Book a free Accent Success Call and I’ll show you exactly how to:
- Stop getting interrupted
- Get your ideas heard
- Speak with confidence and clarity — every single time