When translating Japanese sentences into English, it is important to pay attention to the structure and tenses used in both languages. The sentence ‘She said she is a new student’ might seem correct at first glance, but it does not follow the proper usage of tenses in indirect speech.
Understanding the Correct Use of Tenses in Reported Speech
In English, when we report what someone else has said, we typically shift the verb tense. This is known as ‘backshifting’ in indirect speech. The verb tense in the reported speech usually moves one step back in time, unless the information is universally true or still applicable at the moment of reporting.
In the original sentence, ‘She said she is a new student,’ the verb ‘is’ (present tense) should be changed to ‘was’ (past tense) to match the past tense of ‘said.’ The correct sentence would be: ‘She said she was a new student.’ This follows the rule of backshifting in indirect speech.
Why is backshifting important in indirect speech?
Backshifting is important because it ensures that the reported speech aligns with the time frame of the reporting verb. When you report what someone said, you are referring to a past moment, and using the past tense helps make the sequence of events clear. If you use the present tense (‘is’), it implies that the statement is still true at the moment of speaking, which may not be the case when reporting something that was said in the past.
For example, if the person is still a new student when you report it, then you can say ‘She said she is a new student.’ But if the statement was made at a specific point in the past, you should backshift to ‘was’ to match the context.
When can you avoid backshifting?
There are a few situations where backshifting is not necessary. If the information being reported is a universal truth or something that is still true at the time of reporting, backshifting can be avoided. For example, ‘She said that water boils at 100 degrees Celsius’ would remain in the present tense because the fact is always true, regardless of when it was said.
Conclusion: Mastering the Tense Shifts in Reported Speech
To sum up, when reporting what someone has said, it is important to use backshifting to reflect the past tense of the reporting verb. This helps maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity in your sentences. So, while ‘She said she is a new student’ might seem natural, the grammatically correct version in indirect speech would be ‘She said she was a new student.’ Understanding these small details in grammar helps you communicate more effectively in English.
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