Текст книги "Как вести беседу по телефону"
Автор книги: Т. Шелкова
Соавторы: И. Мелех
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IV
FORMAL AND INFORMAL TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS
The language used for speaking on the telephone is basically very similar to that of ordinary conversation, but limited in certain important respects by the special situation, which imposes a number of restrictions. Attention may be called to some of the chief differences between formal and informal telephone conversations. The most notable difference is that a formal telephone conversation is conducted at a much more formal level because the people speaking are taking care to maintain the high level of politeness usually felt appropriate in this kind of discussion. Another difference is that the formal discussion is very precise and factual, keeping to the point and never straying off into the chatty vagueness which is found at times in informal telephone conversations. Finally, there is of course a considerable difference in the vocabulary, with more technical terms than one would expect to find in the average informal telephone conversation, and a mixture of formal and informal words and phrases. Informal chatty telephone calls usually take place between friends who have nothing in particular to discuss and are simply engaging in a bit of social pleasantness. In this kind of telephone conversation there is a great deal of informal idiom.
A. FORMAL TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS
1. Business and Commerce
Operator: Good morning. Hawles Engineering. Can I help you?
Mr Weston: I’d like to speak to Mr James Marsh, please, I think it’s extension forty-seven.
Operator: Who’s calling, please?
Mr Weston: My name is Weston. I’m from Plant Installations Limited.
Operator: Will you hold the line for a moment, Mr Weston? I’ll see if Mr Marsh is free[17]17
free: unoccupied
[Закрыть].
Mr Weston: Yes, thank you.
Mr Marsh: Hello. Marsh speaking[18]18
Marsh speaking: the generally accepted formal way for a man to announce himself on the telephone is for him to use his surname only, omitting the title Mr. An alternative, perhaps slightly less formal, would be to use the Christian name as well, which is generally accepted in American English, e.g. This is James Marsh speaking.
[Закрыть].
Operator: Oh, hello, Mr Marsh. I’ve got a Mr Weston[19]19
a Mr Weston: the fact that the operator uses the indefinite article with the name indicates that she does not know the caller.
[Закрыть] from Plant Installations on the line[20]20
on the line: a standard phrase used by operators to refer to an incoming call
[Закрыть]. Can you speak to him now?
Mr Marsh: Oh yes. Thank you. Put him through, please.
Operator: You’re through now, Mr Weston.
Mr Marsh: Hello, Mr Weston. What can I do for you?[21]21
What can I do for you?: almost a fixed phrase, which is very often used as a polite way of asking someone what he wants
[Закрыть]
Mr Weston: Good morning, Mr Marsh. You’ll remember that our surveyor[22]22
surveyor инспектор, приемщик
[Закрыть] took another look at the floor of your main polishing shop last week.
Mr Marsh: Yes.
Mr Weston: Well I’ve just got his report, and’I thought I’d let you know the result.
Mr Marsh: Splendid[23]23
Splendid: an exclamation of approval which may sound to some people just a little too hearty or pompous
[Закрыть]. That was quick work[24]24
quick work: often used to refer to anything that has been done quickly, not simply a job or work; e.g. “You made quick work of that ice-cream”, where the implication is that ice-cream was eaten quickly.
[Закрыть].
Mr Weston: Yes, it was quite quick, wasn’t it? And you’ll be pleased to know[25]25
you’ll be pleased to know: a fixed phrase which would be more appropriate in written English. It is one of the phrases which adds formality to this conversation, and would be unlikely in informal telephone conversations.
[Закрыть] that he’s been able to confirm what he said in his original report. Mr Marsh: Has he? Oh, good.
Mr Weston: Yes, he says that the subsidence[26]26
subsidence осадка
[Закрыть] hasn’t gone any further since he first inspected the floor, and that there’s no need to increase the strengthening measures he recommended.
Mr Marsh: Well I’m very pleased to hear that, Mr Weston. You’ve taken a load off my mind[27]27
You’ve taken a load off my mind: this phrase is colloquial, and is used by someone who has had a cause for worry or anxiety removed.
[Закрыть].
Mr Weston: Yes, I’m glad it won’t be necessary to hold things up[28]28
to hold things up: to delay proceedings (задержать работу)
[Закрыть] on account of the floor. I’ll confirm all this in writing of course, but I thought that I’d let you know as soon as possible in the hope that we could agree on a defenite starting date.
Mr Marsh: Yes, of course.
Mr Weston: If we can fix that, then I can go ahead with arrangements here.
Mr Marsh: Well it’ll take us about two days to finish off the outstanding work[29]29
the outstanding work: work that has not yet been completed. Contrast the frequent use of “outstanding” to imply “of outstanding merit, qualities”, etc., as in “He is an outstanding man in every way”, “She has done some outstanding work at school”.
[Закрыть] in the plating and polishing shops[30]30
the plating and polishing shops плакировочный и полировочный цехи
[Закрыть], and then you can have a free hand[31]31
then you can have a free hand: the sense is that there will be complete freedom from any hindrance: the “hands” of the workmen will be “free”.
[Закрыть] to begin your operations. How does that suit you?
Mr Weston: Two days. That brings us to Thursday morning[32]32
That brings us to Thursday morning: note that idiomatic use of “bring” in such sentences as “That brings us to the next item to be discussed”.
[Закрыть], doesn’t it?
Mr Marsh: Thursday, yes.
Mr Weston: And I did understand you to say we could continue working at week-ends.
Mr Marsh: Yes, that’s right.
Mr Weston: Well in that case Thursday morning will suit us very well. I’ll put it in hand[33]33
put it in hand: give instructions to have the job started, e.g. “I’ve got the job in hand”, which means that the job is either being done, or is about to be started.
[Закрыть] straight away.
Mr Marsh: Good.
Mr Weston: Now there is one other matter that I’d like to discuss breifly with you if you can spare the time. I’m not keeping you from anything[34]34
I’m not keeping you from anything: the meaning here is “I’m not preventing you from doing anything else (by talking to you)”.
[Закрыть], am I?
Mr Marsh: No, I do have[35]35
I do have: note the use of “do” here, making the verb emphatic. The effect of the emphasis is softened, however, by the following clause beginning with but.
[Закрыть] a meeting in about half an hour, but I’m at your disposal[36]36
at your disposal: prepared to carry on the conversation. A bit of business phraseology.
[Закрыть] until then, so please carry on[37]37
carry on: continue. Contrast the colloquial use to mean “talk too much”, “make lengthy and tedious assertions”, as in “John is a nice chap, but he does carry on about his health”.
[Закрыть], Mr Weston.
Mr Weston: Well, this is a point which concerns the outlet duct[38]38
outlet duct выходная труба
[Закрыть] for the main ventilator.
Mr Marsh: Ah, yes. You asked to be sent the final plans, didn’t you? Did you get those?
Mr Weston: Yes, thanks. Your secretary sent them on to me. Now I see from the plans that you intend the duct to be placed alongside an existing chimney. Do you recall that?
Mr Marsh: Mm. That’s right.
Mr Weston: Well, what I’d like to know is whether the chimney’s strong enough to support the duct, or whether we shall have to construct independent supports. Now unfortunately, at the time of our survey, we didn’t think to inspect[39]39
think to inspect: more usually one would expect to find “think of inspecting”, but “think” may be followed by “to” plus the infinitive form of the verb instead of “of plus present participle, as in “I didn’t think to tell him” vs. “I didn’t think of telling him”.
[Закрыть] the chimney.
Mr Marsh: No, of course, because at that stage we still hadn’t decided exactly where the duct was to go.
Mr Weston: Quite. So can you give me any idea of the strength of the chimney? You see, if we can use it as a support and bolt the duct brackets directly to it, this’ll mean a simpler job and it should also save a certain amount of time.
Mr Marsh: And it’ll be cheaper, too.
Mr Weston: Yes, quite a bit cheaper, in fact.
Mr Marsh: Mm. Well, all I can tell you at the moment is that the chimney was only built a couple of years ago, and is in good structural condition. What I can’t tell you, with any degree of certainty, is whether it’ll stand up to the kind of stress you’re proposing to put on it. As far as I can remember it’s a pretty strong job, so it should be all right.
Mr Weston: Yes. Well, it looks quite strong on our plans, but I can’t really tell, because they’re not sufficiently detailed.
Mr Marsh: No. Well, look, Mr Weston[40]40
look, Mr Weston: note this rather informal use of the imperative ‘look” as a signal that the speaker wishes to call attention to a proposition or statement he is about to make.
[Закрыть], I think we’d better not take any risks over this. I’ll call in a building expert and get him to examine the chimney, and perhaps you’ll be good enough to send me brief details of the loadings[41]41
loadings нагрузка
[Закрыть] involved and the kind of brackets you’re thinking of using and so on. And I’ll put them in front of him and see what he thinks.
Mr Weston: Yes, I can get that in the post this evening.
Mr Marsh: You can? Fine[42]42
Fine: an informal exclamation of approval or agreement
[Закрыть].
Mr Weston: Well, that answers my question, Mr Marsh. Thank you very much.
Mr Marsh: Not at all[43]43
Not at all: one of the very few ways in English of replying to someone who has just said ‘Thank you”. For some people it has faintly comic overtones, and these are stronger with the comparable formula “Don’t mention it”. Normally, no reply to “Thank you” is absolutely necessary, but many people feel happier if they say something like ‘That’s all right”, “Pleased to help”, “Glad to be of assistance”, etc.
[Закрыть]. And thank you for letting me know about the report so quickly. I’ll get things moving[44]44
get things moving: an informal way of saying “order work to start”
[Закрыть] here, and we’ll expect your men to start work on Thursday morning.
Mr Weston: Yes, they’ll be there. Good-bye, Mr Marsh, I’ll be in touch again when the work’s started.
Mr Marsh: Bye, Mr Weston.
2. Casual Business
Mr Hopkinson: Hello. Mr Hopkinson speaking.
Mr Stock: Hello, Tom. Stock here.
Mr Hopkinson: You are just the man I wanted to speak to.
Mr Stock: Well, here I am. What’s it all about, then?
Mr Hopkinson: Well, you know that emergency delivery to Stockholm we were talking about the other day?
Mr Stock: Yes – you mean the “one they wanted delivered by the 25th? Mr Hopkinson: Yes, that’s the one. They’ve been on the telex about it to us only this morning, and now they say they must have it by the beginning of next week. I don’t know. What with that and this[45]45
what with that and this: because of that and this
[Закрыть] big French order we’ve got coming up, I’ve been up to my ears in it[46]46
up to my ears in it: overloaded with work
[Закрыть].
Mr Stock: I see. Then we’d better get it off pretty soon, hadn’t we?
Mr Hopkinson: Yes, they’re counting on us.
Mr Stock: That’s right. I know old Gustavsson pretty well, actually, and I shouldn’t like to let him down either.
Mr Hopkinson: We’ll have to think of something, then, shan’t we? What’s old Gustavsson like, by the way?
Mr Stock: Bit difficult to describe, actually. Round fortyish[47]47
round fortyish: around forty years old
[Закрыть] and a little bit heavy-going[48]48
a little bit heavy-going: rather too serious or pompous
[Закрыть] perhaps. Got his head screwed on the right way[49]49
got his head screwed on the right way: clever, intelligent
[Закрыть], though.
Mr Hopkinson: That was my impression too, actually.
Mr Stock: Anyway, to get back to this delivery job, is there anything in particular that’s holding us up? Haven’t we got all the things we want on hand[50]50
on hand: available
[Закрыть]?
Mr Hopkinson: No, it isn’t that so much. We’re a bit short-handed[51]51
a bit short-handed: short of staff/workers
[Закрыть] on the packing side[52]52
on the packing side: in the packing department
[Закрыть], you see. They’ve all been working like the clappers[53]53
like the clappers: very quickly
[Закрыть] on this French job, and haven’t got round to[54]54
haven’t got round to: haven’t managed to do/begin
[Закрыть] this other lot yet.
Mr Stock: Let’s see. It’s Friday tomorrow, isn’t it? That makes it a bit tricky[55]55
a bit tricky: rather difficult
[Закрыть].
Mr Hopkinson: Look, I’ve been thinking. What about offering the boys in despatch a spot of[56]56
a spot of: a little
[Закрыть] overtime over the week-end? We can bung[57]57
bung: put, throw
[Закрыть] the whole lot into one lorry and get it straight off to Hull. Should be on the quayside by Monday morning.
Mr Stock: Yes, of course that’s the answer. Should’ve thought of that before. Well, that’s that one solved then. Better be getting back, I suppose. Will you tell Fred, or shall I?
Mr Hopkinson: Well, I’m seeing him this afternoon in any case so I’ll see to it, if you like, Peter.
Mr Stock: Would you? That’s splendid. Look, I must push off now. I’m seeing that chap from Benson’s at two-thirty.
Mr Hopkinson: Yes, don’t you worry. I’ll see that’s all laid on…[58]58
all laid on: all arranged
[Закрыть]. Bye.
Mr Stock: Bye.
EXERCISES
I. Define the meaning of these words and phrases. Make up sentences using them.
surveyor, quick work, subsidence, to hold things up, on account of smth., in writing, to go ahead with arrangements, the outstanding work, to have a free hand, to put it in hand, to be at one’s disposal, to carry on, with any degree of certainty, to stand up to the stress, to get smth. in the post, to get things moving, emergency delivery, to be on the telex, what with that and this, to be up to one’s ears in work, to get smth. off, to count on smb., to let smb. down, round fortyish, heavy-going, to get one’s head screwed on the right way, to hold smb. up, to get things on hand, to be a bit short-handed on smth., to work like the clappers, to make it tricky, to bung the whole lot into one lorry, to push off, all laid on
II. Rephrase these sentences.
1. You’ve taken a load off my mind. 2. That brings us to Thursday morning. 3. I’ll put it in hand straight away. 4. I’m not keeping you from anything? 5. I’ll call in a building expert and get him to examine the chimney. 6. I can get that in the post this evening. 7. I’ll get things moving here. 8. You mean the one they wanted delivered by the 25th. 9. They’ve been on the telex about it to us this morning. 10. What with that and this big French order we’ve got coming up, I’ve been up to my ears in it. 11. Then we’d better get it off pretty soon. 12. Haven’t we got all the things we want on hand? 13. We’re a bit short-handed on the packing-side. 14. What about offering the boys in despatch a spot of overtime over the week-end?
III. Reproduce the telephone conversations as close to the text as possible.
IV. Make up telephone conversations considering these assignments.
1. Brown amp; Co. for some reason or other have not delivered the goods in the stipulated time. Phone the Company and let them know that they are responsible for the delay and have either to make emergency delivery within a week or to pay you a penalty.
2. You are decorating your apartment. The work is progressing very slowly. Phone the manager of the Company and ask him to offer his workmen a spot of overtime over the week-end so that they could finish off all the outstanding work within two days.
3. You’ve been up to your ears in work over the past two weeks and failed to send a book on Soviet art to your colleague. Phone him, offer your apologies and say that you do remember your promise and that you will get the book in the post this afternoon.
В. INFORMAL TELEPHONE COVERSATIONS
1. An Advertisement
Charles: Two-six-two four-three-double four. Charles Farmer speaking.
Joan: Hello, Charles, it’s Joan – Joan Cook.
Charles: Hello, Joan, how are you?
Joan: I’m very well, thanks[59]59
I’m very well, thanks: a slightly formal reply to the question “How are you?” than either ‘Tine, thanks” or “Oh, not so bad; you know”.
[Закрыть]. How are you?
Charles: Oh, not so bad, you know.
Joan: Good. I rang to ask if you know anything about hotels in Brighton.
Charles: No, I’m afraid[60]60
I’m afraid: a common conversational way of introducing an apologetic note into what is being said
[Закрыть] I can’t be very much help to you there[61]61
there: in that respect
[Закрыть].
Joan: Well, it’s just that we’ve been thinking of taking the family to the south this summer and at this rather late stage we’re trying to organize[62]62
organise: note this colloquial use of “organise” to mean “get, obtain” (by means of some kind of planning); e.g. “I feel hungry – I’m going to organise a sandwich for myself.”
[Закрыть]ourselves a suitable hotel. But I thought that you’d been to Brighton;
Charles: I have. Several times. But I’ve always taken a tent and done it the hard way[63]63
to do smth. the hard way: to have difficulties to overcome; e. g. ‘The manager came up the hard way – he started as an errand boy.”
[Закрыть].
Joan: Oh, I see. I didn’t realize that.
Charles: Yes. Great one for the open air[64]64
Great one for the open air: I have a strong liking for the open air. The phrase “a great one for” is sometimes used to indicate strong preferences, as in “Jimmy’s a great one for football”, etc. there often seems to be some humorous intent when the phrase is used.
[Закрыть], you know.
Joan: Oh, it must be nice, but we could never contemplate it with our lot[65]65
our lot: our family
[Закрыть]. We’re terribly disorganized as a family, you know, and we’d be in chaos in no time. And in any case the car isn’t big enough to get all of us in and camping equipment as well, so we simply must find ourselves a nice hotel where they’ll put up with[66]66
put up with: toletate. Note the difference of meaning with “put up” to mean “accommodate”, as in “They’ll put up noisy kids in that hotel”.
[Закрыть] noisy kids.
Charles: Mm. You have got a problem. And it’s certainly a bit late. But there are masses of adverts. Have you looked at those?
Joan: Well, yes. As a matter of fact I was reading one advert only this morning in the Sunday paper which sounded marvellous.
Charles: For a hotel?
Joan: Yes. Just outside Brighton. And I thought to myself “I’ll give Charles a ring[67]67
give Charles a ring: note the numerous verbs which have to do with making a telephone call. Some of these, beginning with the more formal and ending with the less formal ones are: ‘Telephone X, Ring X, Give X a ring, Give X a tinckle”.
[Закрыть]. He may know it”.
Charles: Oh, dear I am a dead loss[68]68
a dead loss: someone or something completely useless
[Закрыть], aren’t I. But tell me about the advert.
Joan: It said that this hotel was right on the beach, and that’s essential as far as we’re concerned, because the kids are really only interested in scrabbling[69]69
scrabbling: combines the notions of crawling in and scratching about in (копаться, рыться)
[Закрыть] in the sand and popping into[70]70
popping into: going into. The implication is that it would only be for a short time. “Pop in” is also used of an informal visit, e. g. “If you happen to be passing just pop in and see me, please”.
[Закрыть] the sea every five minutes, so we must be close to it-the closer the better.
Charles: I know just how it is[71]71
I know just how it is: a phrase used to express concern and sympathetic understanding
[Закрыть].
Joan: And all the rooms have balconies facing the sea and overlooking the beach so it should be possible for mum and dad[72]72
mum and dad: the speaker’s way of referrring to herself and her husband
[Закрыть] to keep half an eye on[73]73
keep half an eye on: pay some attention to
[Закрыть] the kids while they’re playing and manage a quiet snooze at the same time occasionally.
Charles: Sounds too good to be true[74]74
too good to be true: a fixed phrase (так хорошо, что и не верится; невероятно)
[Закрыть]. Expensive?
Joan: Rather. But still the prices were a bit lower than in any of the other adverts I’ve seen, and yet the facilities were as good or even better. You know, even allowing for[75]75
allowing for: taking into account
[Закрыть] a bit of exaggeration in the advert, it seemed to have a lot to offer[76]76
a lot to offer: a fixed phrase often used for referring to something which has a number of desirable features
[Закрыть].
Charles: Had it?
Joan: Oh, yes. And the food is good – according to the advert, again – but they’re bound to say that.
Charles: Of course. The only way to find out for certain is to go and try it. And that’s taking rather a risk. I tell you what[77]77
I tell you what: a colloquial way of introducing a suggestion
[Закрыть], though. It’s just occurred to me – Mr and Mrs Croft from over the road[78]78
from over the road: the equivalent in less idiomatic English would be “who live on the other side of the road”
[Закрыть] have been to that part of England several times, and I seem to remember them saying they always use the same hotel.
Joan: Do they?
Charles: Yes. At least I think that’s what they said. I’ll pop around[79]79
pop around: pop into
[Закрыть] later this evening, and if they do know anything that might be of use to you I’ll get one or the other of them to give you a ring.
Joan: Would you? That’s very kind of you. They won’t mind, will they?
Charles: No, of course not. I’m sure they’ll be pleased to help.
Joan: Well, that’s marvellous.
Charles: Did you say something about taking the car?
Joan: Yes. It takes a little longer. But there is no need to rush, because Doug’s got an extra week’s holiday this year.
Charles: Lucky Doug. But isn’t it rather a long drive from Edinburgh – what with the children and the holiday traffic[80]80
what with the children and the holiday traffic: the sense here is that “because of the children and the holiday traffic” the length of the drive will be a problem. This use of “what with” to mean something like “because of, in view of is quite common in conversational English; e.g. “What with doing the housework and the shopping, I never have a moment to spare”.
[Закрыть]?
Joan: Well, strange as it may seem, the kids are very good in the car. And if you go by train or air you don’t see much on the way, you’re sort of insulated from all the lovely places you’re passing.
Charles: Yes, I agree with you.
Joan: But I’m sure you must have better things to do than listen to me rattling on[81]81
rattling on: colloquial for “chattering”
[Закрыть].
Charles: Oh, that’s all right. It’s nice to hear from you. But I will drop in on the Crofts and ask them to phone you. Don’t expect to hear anything until after nine, though, because they’re usually out on Sunday until some time in the evening.
Joan: Well, I shall be around[82]82
around: at home; “around the house” meaning “in the house”
[Закрыть] whatever time they ring. Busy getting things ready for school tomorrow. And thanks again, Charles. It really is very kind of you to go to all this trouble.
Charles: No trouble at all. Only too glad[83]83
only too glad: an expressive way of saying “glad”
[Закрыть] to help if I can.
Joan: Well, thanks anyway. Bye-bye, Charles.
Charles: Bye for now, Joan.
2. A Letter of Application
Joe: Peatley two-seven-one[84]84
Peatley two-seven-one: although more and more telephone exchanges in Britain are being converted to all-figure numbers, some are still identified by a name
[Закрыть].
Bob: Hello, is that you, Joe?
Joe: Yes.
Bob: Bob here. How’s things?[85]85
How’s things: a colloquial variant of “How are you”
[Закрыть]
Joe: Oh, hello, Bob. Fine. How are you?
Bob: О. K. Listen, I’ve decided to apply for that job I was telling you about. You remember?
Joe: Yes. I remember. Croydon[86]86
Croydon: a suburb of London
[Закрыть], wasn’t it? What was it, a car factory?
Bob: No, light engineering. Rather like that place I was at in Leeds.
Joe: Oh yes, of course. Light engineering. I remember now. And it was for a manager, wasn’t it.
Bob: Yes. Personnel Manager.
Joe: Very nice too. Do you feel optimistic about it?
Bob: Well, I wouldn’t say I exactly feel optimistic, but at least my training and experience have put me in with a chance[87]87
put me in with a chance: given me a chance
[Закрыть]. So perhaps I could say I feel reasonably optimistic about getting short-listed[88]88
short-listed: placed on the “short list” of people who are selected from all the other applicants and given an interview.
[Закрыть]. But the interview – that’s different.
Joe: Why, for goodness sake?[89]89
for goodness sake: a mild exclamation often used to express varying degrees of exasperation
[Закрыть] You’re not scared of interviews, are you?
Bob: No, I’m not scared of them, but I don’t feel at my best in interviews. Not when I’m on the receiving end[90]90
on the receiving end: in the position of receiving something
[Закрыть], that is. I suppose I spend so much of my time interviewing other people that I feel off balance when I’m in the hot seat[91]91
in the hot seat: a colloquial metaphor used of any uncomfortable situation
[Закрыть] myself.
Joe: Oh, I shoudn’t worry too much about it if I were you[92]92
I shouldn’t worry too much about it if I were you: this sentence, or something very much like it, is used so often in these circumstances that it amounts almost to a fixed phrase
[Закрыть]. As you say, the job is absolutely made for you. I shoudn’t think they’ll get many applicants with your qualifications[93]93
with your qualifications: the sense is that there are unlikely to be many applicants “with such good qualifications”, rather than “with the same qualifications”
[Закрыть].
Bob: Well, we’ll see[94]94
we’ll see: we’ll see eventually what happens. Often used as a way of expressing doubt about the
[Закрыть].
Joe: Yes. You’re bound to get an interview. What’s the pay like incidentally?
Bob: Oh, the pay’s good. Nearly twice what I’m getting now. Joe: Mm!
Bob: But then it is in London, and the rates tend to be a lot higher there, anyway.
Joe: Yes, but even so, it’ll make a big difference if you get it. You’ll be loaded[95]95
loaded: loaded with money – a colloquialism
[Закрыть]!
Bob: Well, I don’t know about[96]96
I don’t know about: a standard phrase for expressing doubt about whatever it introduces
[Закрыть] loaded. I should need a damned sight more than twice my present wages to be loaded.
outcome of something.
Joe: Was the money the main reason for applying?
Bob: One of the reasons. Probably, not the main reason.
Joe: What was that then?
Bob: Well, I don’t know, it’s just that I… well, I like working at Yorkshire Engineering, but I’d like more scope[97]97
scope: opportunity
[Закрыть] for putting a few ideas into practice. You know, old Billings[98]98
old Billings : a common informal way of referring to people, especially men. The adjective “old” does not necessarily carry its normal sense, and it’s use in this way often implies a measure of affection.
[Закрыть] is all right, he’s very understanding and pleasant to work for and all that.
Joe: Yes.
Bob: And he’d never do anyone a bad turn[99]99
do anyone a bad turn: harm anyone
[Закрыть], but…
Joe: He’s a stick-in-the-mud[100]100
a stick-in-the-mud: someone lacking in enterprise and averse to change. It is a classic instance of the kind of English “idiom” which used, to be collected in phrase books; and it sounds rather odd and a little old-fashioned as so many phrase-book idioms do, probably because they are not used very much nowadays. The most famous of all is perhaps “It’s raining cats and dogs” which no Englishman would ever be likely to say any longer unless he was trying to be funny.
[Закрыть].
Bob: Well no, not exactly, but he’s very slow to respond to new ideas. He will accept changes, but it takes him so long to come round to a new idea that by the time he’s trying it out it’s not new any longer.
Joe: And that doesn’t suit you.
Bob: Well it doesn’t really bother me, but, I mean, you’ve got to move with the times[101]101
move with the times: keep pace with current thinking. Another idiom that to some people might sound a little old-fashioned.
[Закрыть] these days or you’re soon left behind.
Joe: Too true[102]102
Too true: an emphatic way of agreeing’
[Закрыть].
Bob: So, anyway, I thought I’d have a bash[103]103
have a bash: have a try’
[Закрыть].
Joe: Good for you[104]104
Good for you: a common way of expressing approval of someone’s action
[Закрыть]. I hope you fed[105]105
fed: gave
[Закрыть] them all that guff[106]106
guff: a colloquialism for “information”, often used with the implication of irrelevance
[Закрыть] about your qualifications and experience in your application.
Bob: Oh yes, of course.
Joe: But you didn’t lay it on too thick[107]107
lay it on too thick: exaggerate
[Закрыть], did you? They can go off[108]108
go off: take a disliking to
[Закрыть] if you make yourself sound too good, you know.
Bob: Well, I don’t think I did. I just tried to be factual and emphasise the most important points.
Joe: I bet you’ll cake walk it[109]109
cake walk it: the sense here is “get the job easily”. A “cake walk” is a simple undertaking.
[Закрыть]. I’ll keep my fingers crossed[110]110
keep my fingers crossed: the reference is to the traditional belief that crossing one’s fingers is a way of guarding against bad luck
[Закрыть] for you, at any rate.
Bob: Thanks, I’ll need it.
Joe: But what about the prospect of going South? Does that bother you at all?
Bob: Well, I know it’s got its disadvantages. Housing’s very expensive and travelling in the rush hour can be a bit of a bind[111]111
a bit of a bind: a nuisance
[Закрыть]. But no doubt it’s got its compensations, too, and if you want to get on you’ve got to be prepared to move around, haven’t you?
Joe: Well, that’s true. But you’ve always lived in Yorkshire and you’ll find things very different in London. No more Sunday mornings on the moors[112]112
the moors: вересковая пустошь, охотничье угодье (there are a great deal of open moorland in Yorkshire within easy reach of the large towns, and Sunday mornings walks there are popular)
[Закрыть].
Bob: Hey, steady on[113]113
steady on: a means of asking someone to be slower or more cautious in their behaviour or statements
[Закрыть]! I haven’t got the job yet.
Joe: No, but if you do get it you won’t be able to pop out[114]114
pop out: go out
[Закрыть] of the back door and run up a mountain.
Bob: True. That is something that I’d miss. That’s one thing about these parts – you’re never very far from some real country. Still, I suppose I could get used to country lanes in the Home Counties[115]115
the Home Counties: the counties adjacent to London
[Закрыть] if I had to.
Joe: Ugh! You don’t call that walking, do you?
Bob: Well, no, not really, but you can’t have everything, so I’d have to amuse myself in other ways. They do have a few more theatres and museums than we do, you know.
Joe: You’ll get fat, middle-aged and civilised. What a fate.
Bob: I’ll have to ring off now. I’ve got one or two things to do before I turn in[116]116
turn in: go to bed
[Закрыть].
Joe: О. K. But don’t forget to let me know if you get an interview.
Bob: I will. Cheerio.
Joe: Cheerio, Bob. Thanks for ringing.
EXERCISES
I. Define the meaning of these words and phrases. Make up sentences using them.
to organise oneself a suitable hotel, to do smth. the hard way, to be a great one for smth., with one’s lot, to put up smb., to put up with smb. (smth.), masses of adverts, to be a dead loss, to scrabble in the sand, to pop into the sea, to overlook the beach, to keep half an eye on smb., to manage a quiet snooze, facilities, to allow for a bit of exaggeration, over the road, to pop around, what with the children and the holiday traffic, to rattle on, to apply for a job, light engineering, to put smb. in with a chance, to get shortlisted, to feel at one’s best, to feel off balance, to be in the hot seat, an applicant, the pay, to be loaded, to have more scope for smth., a stick-in-the-mud, to move with the times, to be left behind, to have a bash, to go off smth., to keep one’s fingers crossed for smb., a bit of a bind, to amuse oneself, to turn in
II. Rephrase these sentences.
1. I can’t be very much help to you. 2. I’ve always taken a tent and done it the hard way. 3. Great one for the open air. 4. They will put up with noisy kids. 5. I’m a dead loss. 6. Sounds too good to be true. 7. You know, even allowing for a bit of exaggeration in the advert, it seemed to have a lot to offer. 8. They are bound to say that. 9. Strange as it may seem, the kids are very good in the car. 10. If you go by train you are sort of insulated from all the lovely places you are passing. 11. It really is very kind of you to go to all this trouble. 12. I’ve decided to apply for that job. 13. My training and experience have put me in with a chance. 14. I feel reasonably optimistic about getting short-listed. 15. I don’t feel at my best in interviews. 16. I feel off balance when I’m in the hot seat myself. 17. I shoudn’t think they’ll get many applicants with your qualifications. 18. “What’s the pay like incidentally?” “Nearly twice what I’m getting now”. 19. The rates tend to be a lot higher there, anyway. 20. You’ll be loaded! 21. I should need a damned sight more than twice my present wages to be loaded. 22. He’d never do anyone a bad turn. 23. He’s a stick-in-the-mud. 24. He’s very slow to respond to new ideas. 25. I hope you fed them all that guff about your qualifications and experience in your application. 26. I thought I’d have a bash. 27. But you didn’t lay it on too thick. 28. They can go off you. 29. I bet you’ll cake walk it. 30. Travelling in the rush hour can be a bit of a bind. 31. I’ll have to ring off now.
III. Fill in the missing remarks in these snatches of telephone conversation (see Conversations 1 and 2).
1. C: Two-six-two four-three-double four. Charles Farmer speaking.
J.: …
2. C.: Hello, Joan, how are you?
J.: …
C.: Oh, not so bad, you know.
3. C.: But I’ve always taken a tent and done it the hard way.
J.: …
4. J.: …
C.: Oh dear, I am a dead loss, aren’t I. But tell me about the advert.
J.: …
5. С:. Sounds too good to be true. Expensive?
J.: …
6. C.: …
J.: Would you? That’s very kind of you. They won’t mind, will they?
C.: …
7. C.: No, of course not. I’m sure they’ll be pleased to help.
J.: …
8. J.: … It really is very kind of you to go to all this trouble.
C.: …
9. В.: Bob here. How’s things?
J.: …
10. J.: Very nice, too. Do you feel optimistic about it?
В.: …
11. J.: I shoudn’t think they’ll get many applicants with your qualifications.
В.: …
12. J.: You’re bound to get an interview. What’s the pay like incidentally?
В.: …
13. J.: Was the money the main reason for applying?
В.: …
J.: What was that then?
В.: …
14. J.: I bet you’ll cake walk it. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you, at any rate.
В.: …
IV. Reproduce the telephone conversations as close to the text as possible.
V. Make up telephone conversations considering these assignments.
1. Your colleague has come back from Italy where he spent his vacation. Phone him and have a talk about: a) the places he has been to; b) the hotels he has put up at; c) the facilities he has been offered; d) the hotel charges; e) the way he has amused himself; f) the people he has met.
2. You are taking a holiday and leaving Ottawa for a month. Phone your Canadian colleague to say good-bye and tell him how you are planning to spend your holiday.
3. You have a telephone call from your counterpart in London. After discussing business he says that his son is applying for a job. Ask him about the prospects of his son’s new job, its advantages and disadvantages and what his son feels about it.
3. A Persuation Which Failed
Harry: Hallo – 5289.
Cynthia: Is that Harry?
Harry: Yes – who’s that?
Cynthia: Oh, Harry. It’s me, Cynthia.
Harry: Cynthia? Cynthia! Oh yes. How are you?
Cynthia: I’m fine. And you and Barbara?
Harry: Oh, we’re both well.
Cynthia: Oh, that’s good. Look, I’m ringing to ask you a small favour. I hope you don’t mind.
Harry: No. No, of course not. Anything I can do, within reason[117]117
within reason: not beyond one’s possibilities
[Закрыть].
Cynthia: Well, the thing is that – you know Shirley?
Harry: Shirley? I don’t think so.
Cynthia: You know, she’s the girl I work with. I think you met her.
Harry: Did I? When?
Cynthia: She’s the one with red hair.
Harry: Oh.
Cynthia: Anyway, I wondered – well – you see Shirley and I are giving a party. Of course we wondered if you and Barbara would like to come…
Harry: Well, that’s very nice of you, I’m sure.
Cynthia: We’d love to have you.
Harry: We’d love to come.
Cynthia: Well, the point is, you see, that we wanted to invite a lot of interesting people.
Harry: Oh yes -
Cynthia: Yes – and well, you know our flat; it really isn’t big enough. And we were wondering if there was just the smallest chance of having it at your place – just for the evening, you know.
Harry: Well – we’d love to let you, of course. But just now it would be a little difficult.
Cynthia: Oh, no. It wouldn’t be now. In about two week’s time.
Harry: Two weeks. Oh, I see. But – unfortunately – I think that would be even more difficult. You see, we’re haying part of the house redecorated, and in two weeks -
Cynthia: I suppose it wouldn’t be possible to use the rooms that aren’t being decorated?
Harry: Well, you know what it’s like, Cynthia, when you’ve got the decorators in; you don’t quite know where you are if you see what I mean -
Cynthia: Yes – yes, of course. It is a pity. I don’t know what we’ll do.
Harry: I’m sorry. We’d help if we could.
Cynthia: Well… Good-bye then, Harry.
Harry: Good-bye, Cynthia.
4. Two Sisters on the Telephone
Joyce: Well, what have you been up to[118]118
to be up to something usually implies something not altogether permissible, or at least surreptitious. “What have you been up to this time?” implies something likely to involve punishment. So the phrase is used jocularly, from one friend to another, implying that he or she must have been doing something out of the ordinary or at least interesting.
[Закрыть] since I saw you first?
Kate: I haven’t been up to anything, I’m afraid[119]119
I’m afraid implies no fear, only regret that she has nothing more interesting to tell.
[Закрыть]. Just the usual grind[120]120
Just the usual grind is a way of describing monotony; nothing severe or otherwise unpleasant is implied.
[Закрыть]. Have you been doing anything?
Joyce: No. James is off to Italy again tomorrow for his firm. He rings me every night from Turin, which is a comfort.
Kate: So you’ll be absolutely tied again with the children?
Joyce: Of course.
Kate: The firm would never pay for you to go to Italy as well, I suppose?
Joyce: As a matter of fact, that’s just come up[121]121
come up: two idioms with “come” – “come up” meaning “to arise, to occur” and “come off meaning “to take place”
[Закрыть] for the first time. There’s a big job of entertaining coming off[121]121
come up: two idioms with “come” – “come up” meaning “to arise, to occur” and “come off meaning “to take place”
[Закрыть] in about a fortnight – all the possible buyers and their wives are invited to Turin for a demonstration and a party afterwards, and they say they’d pay for me to go and play hostess[122]122
play hostess: “play” is often used as here to mean “fulfil the function of.
[Закрыть]and look nice, but of course, with the children… And anyway, what have I got to look nice in?
Kate: I say, ducky, I’ve just got an idea. When is this do at Turin[123]123
this do at Turin : “do”, used as a noun, is one of the many colloquial words for a social occasion.
[Закрыть]? It wouldn’t be at a week-end by any chance?
Joyce: It’s to be a Saturday – best time for a party.
Kate: Well, look here[124]124
Well, look here is more emphatic than “I say”, to begin a new statement.
[Закрыть], why don’t I come and look after[125]125
Why don’t I come and look after…: this is a more forceful phrase than “Why shouldn’t I?”. It contains the hint of a firm offer which ought not to be refused.
[Закрыть] Michael and Jane for the week-end? They’re not such demons[126]126
demons: lively children are conventionally referred to as “young demons” – a phrase conveying admiration for their vitality but at the same time sympathy for the trouble which they can cause.
[Закрыть] as you seem to think, you know. We usually get on fine[127]127
get on means “get on well together”, “like each other and are good companions”.
[Закрыть].
Joyce: Oh – it’s terribly sweet of you, but I couldn’t.
Kate: Yes, you could. Now sort it out with James[128]128
sort it out with James: discuss this question with James
[Закрыть] this evening before he goes. I’ll come over[129]129
I’ll come over simply means “I’ll come to you”.
[Закрыть] on the Friday night, and I’ll stay over the Monday too – I’ll get the day off from the office – so you needn’t get back till late on Monday and you can see a bit of Italy as well.
Joyce: No, I can’t really… Really you shouldn’t.
Kate: Now shut up. No more nonsense. It’s settled. Just see the frig[130]130
frig: refrigerator
[Закрыть] is full of food. I’ll take them to the Zoo on Saturday. And what’s wrong with that trouser suit? You look splendid in it.
Joyce: Do you really think I could? I never thought of a trouser suit for the party…
5. Renting a House
(Anglo-American Misunderstandings)
The telephone rings in a house in the London suburb of Twickenham.
An American Voice: Good morning. Is this Mrs Jones?[131]131
Is this Mrs Jones?: Americans begin a telephone call by asking, “Is this…?” whereas the English ask, “Is that…?”
[Закрыть]
Mrs Jones (rather puzzled): I’m Mrs Jones.
American: Oh, fine. I’m Drusilla Applebee, and I’m calling[132]132
To call in British English more often means to come in person, though it can have the sense of “calling up” or “ringing up” on the telephone, which is always the American meaning.
[Закрыть] about your house you advertised to rent[133]133
to rent: houses in England are usually said to be “to let”. The distinction is that you let your house to someone, but you rent a house from someone.
[Закрыть] for the summer months.
Mrs Jones (still rather puzzled): Why yes, when are you going to call?
Mrs Applebee: I mean I’m calling you about it right now[134]134
right now: an English person would probably just say “now” or “at the moment”.
[Закрыть]. We’re a large family and your house sounded the sort of place we need for July, August and September.
Mrs Jones: Oh, yes, of course. How many are you in your family?
Mrs Applebee: Six, so we hope you have plenty of closets[135]135
Closet is rarely used in England and would generally be taken to refer to “water-closet”.
[Закрыть].
Mrs Jones: Er – oh, you mean what we call cupboards! Yes, we’ve got plenty of those. And lots of chests of drawers too.
Mrs Applebee: Chests of drawers…?
Mrs Jones: Oh, I should have remembered – the American term is “dresser”, isn’t it?
Switchboard operator (in strong American voice): Are you through?
Mrs Jones: Oh, yes, I’m through.
Mrs Applebee (simultaneously): No, no, we’re not through yet. I’m speaking from my husband’s office and they’re all Americans here. Gosh[136]136
Gosh!: an exclamation of extreme surprise
[Закрыть], I’d no idea the British were so different about languages. What do you mean when you say you are through? We mean we’re finished with the call.
