Let's Speak English VS Let's Speak IN English?

Question

Let's Speak English VS Let's Speak IN English?

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Is there any difference between

A. Let's speak English

and

B. Let's speak in English

?

Is sentence B bad? If both are okay, and have different meanings, what's the difference in meaning?

Jun 06 2006 04:00:02

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CalifJim,
Are your sentences not interchangeable?

Aside from examples, can you also describe the difference?

Jun 06 2006 04:30:54

Yes. They are interchangeable, but I gave the contexts in which a native speaker might be inclined to choose one in preference to another. (Other native speakers might choose differently, but I think most would find these very appropriate within the contexts illustrated.)

The difference is extremely subtle. speak [language] is a non-contrastive do speaking using [language]. speak in [language] is a contrastive communicate using this method rather than another.

The verb say allows Say it in English, but not *Say it English. So the native speaker associates speak with say more when in English is used. Hence, in the examples I gave above, Let's say it in English so they don't understand us, but not *You need to practice conversation, so let's say English.

I'm winging it here -- just giving my guesses. I don't think there is any reliable rule, but maybe another forum member will weigh in.

CJ

Jun 06 2006 04:43:31

'Let's speak in English' means we usually speak some other language; but this particular instance we would prefer English

Sep 24 2007 12:33:23

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CalifJim,
Are your sentences not interchangeable?

Aside from examples, can you also describe the difference?
Yes. They are interchangeable, but I gave the contexts in which a native speaker might be inclined to choose one in preference to another. (Other native speakers might choose differently, but I think most would find these very appropriate within the contexts illustrated.)

The difference is extremely subtle. speak [language] is a non-contrastive do speaking using [language]. speak in [language] is a contrastive communicate using this method rather than another.

The verb say allows Say it in English, but not *Say it English. So the native speaker associates speak with say more when in English is used. Hence, in the examples I gave above, Let's say it in English so they don't understand us, but not *You need to practice conversation, so let's say English.

I'm winging it here -- just giving my guesses. I don't think there is any reliable rule, but maybe another forum member will weigh in.

CJ
'Let's speak in English' means we usually speak some other language; but this particular instance we would prefer English

CalifJim · Accepted Answer · 2006-06-06T4:21

-- I need to practice for my English conversation lesson.
-- OK. Let's speak English then!

-- I think those people at the next table are listening to what we are saying.
-- In that case, let's speak in English! That way they won't know what we are talking about.

CJ

Let's Speak English VS Let's Speak IN English?

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