Reported Speech: How to Retell What Someone Has Said

In this lesson, we will explore the concept of reported speech in the Czech language. Reported speech is used to convey what someone has said without using their exact words. It is commonly used in conversations, interviews, and storytelling. By learning how to effectively use reported speech, you can accurately communicate what others have said while maintaining the intended meaning.

1. Understanding the Basics

Reported speech consists of two parts: the reporting verb and the reported speech itself. The reporting verb is what introduces the reported speech and indicates that someone said something. The reported speech is the content of what was said.

Example:

• Direct speech: Tomáš říká: "Mám hlad." (Tomáš says, "I'm hungry.")
• Reported speech: Tomáš říká, že má hlad. (Tomáš says that he is hungry.)

2. Changing Pronouns and Verb Tenses

When converting direct speech to reported speech, it is necessary to make changes to pronouns and verb tenses to reflect the shift from the speaker's perspective to the reporter's perspective.

Pronoun Changes:

• First-person pronouns (I, we, my, etc.) often change to third-person pronouns (he, she, they, etc.).
• Second-person pronouns (you, your, etc.) generally change to third-person pronouns as well.
• Third-person pronouns (he, she, they, etc.) typically remain unchanged.

Verb Tense Changes:

• Present simple tense usually changes to past simple tense.
• Present continuous tense usually changes to past continuous tense.
• Past simple tense usually changes to past perfect tense.
• Future tenses often change to conditional tenses.

3. Reporting Verb Choices

Different reporting verbs can be used to introduce reported speech. The choice of reporting verb can convey the speaker's attitude, belief, or certainty about what was said. Here are some common reporting verbs in Czech:

• říkat (to say): This is a neutral reporting verb suitable for general use.
• odpovědět (to answer): Use this verb when reporting a direct response or reply.
• tvrdit (to claim): Use this verb when the speaker's statement may be doubted or disputed.
• ptát se (to ask): Use this verb when reporting a question posed by the speaker.

4. Punctuation and Reporting Clauses

In reported speech, the use of quotation marks changes. In direct speech, quotation marks surround the exact words of the speaker. In reported speech, quotation marks are omitted. Additionally, reporting clauses (the phrases introducing reported speech) often indicate the relationship between the reporter and the speaker.

Example:

• Direct speech: "Mluvíš francouzsky?" ("Do you speak French?")
• Reported speech: Řekl, zda mluvíš francouzsky. (He asked if you speak French.)

5. Summary

To summarize, reported speech is used to retell what someone has said while maintaining the intended meaning. When converting direct speech to reported speech in Czech, be mindful of pronoun changes, verb tense changes, and the choice of reporting verbs. Remember to adjust punctuation accordingly, and include reporting clauses to indicate the relationship between the reporter and the speaker.

By understanding and practicing reported speech, you will be able to convey others' statements accurately and effectively in your conversations and written communication. Keep practicing and incorporating reported speech into your language skills to enhance your fluency in Czech.