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09-Nov-2007, 23:04
| | Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Country: Russia
Posts: 468
Current Location: Russia First Language: russian Member Type: Other Thanks: 327
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| |  I can't speak to that
Hello everyone
I'd like to ask about the meaning of the phase 'I can't speak to that.'
The context is as follows:
To Goodier Takeda said: "Sergeant, may I take it as read that now that I am no longer presence in that structure, it is GDI's intention to raze it to the ground, along with as many of Kane's lunatics as they can take?
"I can't speak to that, sir," Goodier said flatly. Then he yelled out, Private Brodeur!
Brodeur flagged in his jogging so that the three of them caught up with him. "Yes, sir?"
"Your helmet, Private."
"Er, yes, sir." Brodeur undid his helmet and handed it to Goodier.
"Thank you, Private. Stay with us." Brodeur, who now looked as confused as Vega felt, nodded, and kept pace with the three of them.
Goodier put the helmet on Takeda's head. "You'll want to be wearing this, sir." |
10-Nov-2007, 01:48
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Country: Canada
Posts: 3,025
Current Location: Canada First Language: English Member Type: English Teacher Thanks: 4
Thanked 484 Times in 444 Posts
| | Re: I can't speak to that
Quote:
Originally Posted by KLPNO  Hello everyone
I'd like to ask about the meaning of the phase 'I can't speak to that.'
The context is as follows:
To Goodier Takeda said: "Sergeant, may I take it as read that now that I am no longer presence in that structure, it is GDI's intention to raze it to the ground, along with as many of Kane's lunatics as they can take?
"I can't speak to that, sir," Goodier said flatly. Then he yelled out, Private Brodeur!
Brodeur flagged in his jogging so that the three of them caught up with him. "Yes, sir?"
"Your helmet, Private."
"Er, yes, sir." Brodeur undid his helmet and handed it to Goodier.
"Thank you, Private. Stay with us." Brodeur, who now looked as confused as Vega felt, nodded, and kept pace with the three of them.
Goodier put the helmet on Takeda's head. "You'll want to be wearing this, sir." | = "I can't comment on that". |
10-Nov-2007, 02:46
| | Member | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Country: Russia
Posts: 468
Current Location: Russia First Language: russian Member Type: Other Thanks: 327
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
| | Re: I can't speak to that
Quote:
Originally Posted by riverkid = "I can't comment on that". | Thank you very much, riverkid. |
10-Nov-2007, 03:03
| | Member | | Join Date: Mar 2007 Country: Canada
Posts: 342
Current Location: Canada First Language: English Member Type: English Teacher Thanks: 1
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
| | Re: I can't speak to that
Quote:
Originally Posted by riverkid = "I can't comment on that". | Yes, RK  Just to add, I believe the expression is used with the extra meaning of:
I can't speak to that because I am not permitted to do so
or
I can't speak to that because I don't have enough information or knowledge about the situation
Fiona  |
11-Nov-2007, 04:11
| | Key Member | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Country: Canada
Posts: 3,025
Current Location: Canada First Language: English Member Type: English Teacher Thanks: 4
Thanked 484 Times in 444 Posts
| | Re: I can't speak to that
Great additions, Fiona.
Thanks muchly! |
11-Nov-2007, 16:43
| | Member | | Join Date: Mar 2007 Country: Canada
Posts: 342
Current Location: Canada First Language: English Member Type: English Teacher Thanks: 1
Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts
| | Re: I can't speak to that
Quote:
Originally Posted by riverkid Great additions, Fiona.
Thanks muchly! |  | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode | 
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