2.1.2. Identifying Yourself 自报家门- Culture Notes

Culture Notes

l  In business you shouldn’t call someone’s first name unless he or sheinvites you to do so.

l  Mr. Conrad

l  Question：What is the safest way for Eduardoto address Sara East?

Miss/Ms. East

Culture Notes

l  Professor+ family name 教授

l  Doctor(Dr.) + family name 医生

l  Doctor(Dr.) + family name 博士

Culture Notes

l  Professor+ family name 教授

l  Doctor(Dr.) + family name 医生

l  Doctor(Dr.) + family name 博士

Culture Notes

l  When you ask to speak to someone, the use of I’d like to isconsidered more polite than I want to.

l  So, in this telephone conversation, besides saying “Can I speak toMr. Conrad”, he can also say “I would like to speak to Mr. Conrad.”

Useful Expressions

l  I’d like to speak to ______, please.

l  Is _______ in today, please?

l  Can I speak to ______, please?

l  Could you put me through to_______, please.

Speaking Practice

l  In the following exercise you will hear a job description or acompany department at the beginning of each sentence. Please listen to thesentence and then repeat it.

Ø  IT department—Can I speak to someone from the _______, please.

Ø  Sales manager—Can I speak to the ______, please?

Ø  Personal assistant—Can you please give me the number of Mr. Jone’s_______?

Speaking Practice

l  Listen to Sara pick up the phone. Respond to her question and saywho you are and that you would like to speak to Mr. Conrad.

l  Sample:

Ø  Good afternoon Ms. East, this isAaron Wangspeaking. I amthehuman resources manageratJPK communications. I’d like tospeak toMr. Conrad, please.

Culture Notes

Some cultures like to spend more time onsmall talk at the beginning of telephone conversations than others. If yourculture has a particular view about how much time to spend “chatting” beforegetting down to business, think about the culture of the person you arecalling.

Video

l  Please watch a video and answer the following questions.

Ø  Did they have small talk in their telephone conversation?

Yes.

Ø  What did they say?

Paul: How are things with you these days? Ihaven’t seen you since the trade fair in Amsterdam.

I suppose so, yes, anyway,…

Sylvia: Not too bad. We’re really busy, butthat’s good.

Paul: I suppose so, yes, anyway,…

Useful Expressions

l  How have you been these days?

l  How are you?

l  How’s business?

l  I’ ve not seen you since________.

l  Did you enjoy the presentation on Monday?

l  Did you have a good weekend/holiday?

Speaking Practice

l  Translate the small talk phrases into English and complete theopening stages of the telephone dialogues below. Then, practice yourself.

l  A: Lucy Brown speaking.

B: Hi, Ms. Brown. This is Jeremy from LTATransportations.

A: Nice to hear from you again.(很高兴再次接到你的电话)

How are you？（你好吗？）

B: I am good, thanks! I hope you are goodas well.（我很好，谢谢！我希望你也很好。）