Wu Ting
How would you explain ‘with respect to your old comrade driver’? “I understand you’re a writer.” “Señor, what on earth gives you that understanding?” “One person. By name, César.” “He does?” “He says you scribble every night. Are you reporting on us to someone?” César is a perseverant snitch. “It’s nothing like that. Just a diary of kitchen nonsense and little stories. Romantic adventures set in other times. Nothing of consequence, meant for no one else’s eyes.” “César says you write in English. Why is that?” “With respect to your old comrade driver. How does he know it’s English?” How would you explain ‘with respect to your old comrade driver’? Thanks!
Apr 23, 2014 1:03 AM
Answers · 2
3
It sounds to me that Cesar and the first speaker are old acquaintances and that Cesar was his chauffeur. As for "with respect to", this is a phrase that softens the assertion that someone doesn't know what they are talking about or that they may be a liar. A more popular turn of phrase is "With all due respect". For example: "With all due respect, how does he know it's English."
April 23, 2014
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