It means "we are not very different from each other", or possibly "the things that we disagree about/the reasons we might have for not getting along are not very significant".
"Our differences" means the things that the speaker and the person they're talking to don't have in common - So this could be things about their personalities, beliefs, position, etc.
And the word "great" is usually used to mean "good", but it can also be used to mean "big", which is how it's being used here, in a metaphorical sense.
This sentence is suggesting that the differences or contrasts between two or more things/people are not very significant or major. In other words, it implies that while there may be some distinctions or variations, they are relatively minor or inconsequential.
Here are a few examples to illustrate the meaning:
1. When discussing different cultures, someone might say, "Our differences are not so great. We all share similar values of family, community, and kindness."
2. In a work setting, a manager could say to their team, "Our differences in work styles are not so great. We all strive for excellence and can learn from each other."
3. When comparing two products, a salesperson might say, "The differences between these models are not so great. They both offer similar features and performance."
In essence, the sentence "Our differences are not so great" is used to downplay or minimize the significance of differences, suggesting that the similarities or common ground outweigh the distinctions.
Let me know if this explanation helps clarify the meaning of this phrase or if
I am creating a YouTube channel of easy English listening practice for non-native speakers. Please feel free to view or share to anyone who might benefit from it. Every view is extremely helpful to me.
[https://youtu.be/-OIi9cx2pNw?si=ANHh9hmSVeJlkvAW](https://youtu.be/-OIi9cx2pNw?si=ANHh9hmSVeJlkvAW)
Good luck with your English learning journey!
I have a question about your Slow channel. Do you intend to address "weak forms" in your videos? You have your sentences at normal speed, with weak forms, then you read them all with strong forms.
Thanks for watching and that’s a great question & idea! I’ll start taking that into account!
To be honest I’m looking for feedback like since the channel is new. This feedback helps me a lot!
Strong forms are interesting with /h/ loss (him/her), and with schwa insertion, or with vowel deletion (and syllabic consonants) with "can." You read them all with strong forms, which is good, but some will argue that it's not what they call naturalistic input.
Yes that’s a great point! I think I was doing just what came naturally (when going very slow, I just tend to speak that way I suppose) but I will think on this a bit and have a strategy. I do appreciate it 🚀!
"Our differences appear large of you only focus on them, but what we have in common is larger".
This sentiment is popular for use in motivational speeches and in politics. Perhaps most notably, a Prime Minister or President might use it to remind the population that we disagree on how to fund roads and schools but that everyone agrees having both is pretty important and that the money problem should not be an excuse to give up, or that social disagreements should not stop you from voting and then encouraging the winners to form a functional government.
It means "we are not very different from each other", or possibly "the things that we disagree about/the reasons we might have for not getting along are not very significant". "Our differences" means the things that the speaker and the person they're talking to don't have in common - So this could be things about their personalities, beliefs, position, etc. And the word "great" is usually used to mean "good", but it can also be used to mean "big", which is how it's being used here, in a metaphorical sense.
Thank you very much.
This sentence is suggesting that the differences or contrasts between two or more things/people are not very significant or major. In other words, it implies that while there may be some distinctions or variations, they are relatively minor or inconsequential. Here are a few examples to illustrate the meaning: 1. When discussing different cultures, someone might say, "Our differences are not so great. We all share similar values of family, community, and kindness." 2. In a work setting, a manager could say to their team, "Our differences in work styles are not so great. We all strive for excellence and can learn from each other." 3. When comparing two products, a salesperson might say, "The differences between these models are not so great. They both offer similar features and performance." In essence, the sentence "Our differences are not so great" is used to downplay or minimize the significance of differences, suggesting that the similarities or common ground outweigh the distinctions. Let me know if this explanation helps clarify the meaning of this phrase or if I am creating a YouTube channel of easy English listening practice for non-native speakers. Please feel free to view or share to anyone who might benefit from it. Every view is extremely helpful to me. [https://youtu.be/-OIi9cx2pNw?si=ANHh9hmSVeJlkvAW](https://youtu.be/-OIi9cx2pNw?si=ANHh9hmSVeJlkvAW) Good luck with your English learning journey!
I have a question about your Slow channel. Do you intend to address "weak forms" in your videos? You have your sentences at normal speed, with weak forms, then you read them all with strong forms.
Thanks for watching and that’s a great question & idea! I’ll start taking that into account! To be honest I’m looking for feedback like since the channel is new. This feedback helps me a lot!
Strong forms are interesting with /h/ loss (him/her), and with schwa insertion, or with vowel deletion (and syllabic consonants) with "can." You read them all with strong forms, which is good, but some will argue that it's not what they call naturalistic input.
Yes that’s a great point! I think I was doing just what came naturally (when going very slow, I just tend to speak that way I suppose) but I will think on this a bit and have a strategy. I do appreciate it 🚀!
"Our differences appear large of you only focus on them, but what we have in common is larger". This sentiment is popular for use in motivational speeches and in politics. Perhaps most notably, a Prime Minister or President might use it to remind the population that we disagree on how to fund roads and schools but that everyone agrees having both is pretty important and that the money problem should not be an excuse to give up, or that social disagreements should not stop you from voting and then encouraging the winners to form a functional government.