epistemological/linguistic question

[netmouse]

When someone says something you didn't hear or you weren't sure you heard correctly, and you say "sorry?" or "excuse me?" to get them to repeat or clarify, would you say you are in fact apologizing at that point, or are those words filling some other social or technical purpose?

Also, is there another similarly polite way to tell someone you couldn't hear them that is not an apology?

I suppose "could you repeat that?" comes to mind, but I'd welcome other ideas.

Comments

[sraun]

I have two habits - depending on who I'm talking to.

With my wife, close friends and some co-workers, I say, "I heard you say {insert perception}. What?"

With most anyone else, I say, "I'm sorry, what I heard you say was {insert perception} and I'm confused. Could you repeat it, please?"

Exact phrasing may vary - the important tone difference is that, in the second, I am claiming responsibility for my failure to accurately hear them. I always attempt to give whoever what I heard, so they can have a hint as to what the mis-communication is.