1.6. Выбор стиля в телефонном разговоре
Choice of Style in a Telephone Conversation
The choice of style (formal or informal vocabulary, grammar and intonation) depends, in the first place, on the relationships between the participants of the telephone conversation(formal or neutral for people whose social status is different or those who don't know each other and informal for friends, fellow-students or colleagues). Other situational factors, such as the subject-matter of the conversation, the place of the conversation and others also influence the choice of style, or, to be more exact, a variation within formal or informal style.
COMPARE THE FOLLOWING TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS AND CLASSIFY THEM ACCORDING TO THEIR DEGREE OF FORMALITY (FORMAL, NEUTRAL, INFORMAL)
[based on: M. Irwin, M. Cadman Commercially Speaking. Oxford University Press, 1999}
Phone Conversation 1.
Hello.
Hello. Is that you, Bob? Yes, it's me. Who's calling? This is Peter.
Crocodile Pete himself! How are you?
Am I disturbing you? Is it a good time to call?
Sure, I wasn't doing anything special. As a matter of fact, I'm
on a train [speaking on a cell phone].
So am I.
Going somewhere nice? I hope so.
Excuse me, that's my other mobile ringing. Hang on a minute. Your other mobile? You mean you have two? Sure. One's my private number, and one's for work. Now what can I do for you?
I wanted to ask you for a telephone number. Shoot!
Do you remember that guy at the party last Friday? The one who sells special cards? Yeah, Ted Willow.
That's it. Ted Willow. Do you have his number? Not on me, but I can let you have it after the weekend. I'm going on a course this weekend to improve my business communication skills.
No! Really? So am I. At a hotel near the Zoo? Exactly!
Hey, we might be on the same train! What can you see out of the window?
Right now I can see a field with some farmers. And a green tractor?
Yeah, a green Ford tractor. We must indeed be on the same train. See you in the coffee bar. Sure, I'll be right there!
Phone Conversation 2.
I'd like to speak to George Robins please. Just a moment.
Good morning, Robins speaking.
This is Brenda Winter from San Diego, California. Oh, hello Brenda.
Have you heard about the accident?
Accident? Oh yes, I have. And your desks were damaged. What would you like me to do? Have you any more available?
Well, not as many as you ordered. You asked for fifty, we have only thirty available today. But we could produce another twenty by the end of the next week. Let me see, by Friday the eleventh.
The end of next week! But we need them now!
Right, but we have a lot of orders, you know.
Yes, but our goods were damaged. Can't you do anything about
it? Can't you help us?
I know how you feel, Brenda. Well, let me talk to our production manager, and I'll get back to you later in the day. Thank you, and can you send them by air freight? I mean it'll save us a lot of time, you know. Yes, and I'll send someone to the airport with them. Oh good, but we must have the desks by the seventh. Okay, I'll see what we can do. And I'll be in touch later. Thanks a lot, good-bye.
Phone Conversation 3.
Hello. Western Airlines. Can I help you?
Yes. Can you check if there are any seats available for a flight
to Los Angeles please?
Yes, sir. When are you thinking of flying?
On the morning of the twelfth. The fist available flight.
Is six fifteen too early?
No that's fine. Well, maybe it's a little early. Have you got
something a bit later? Around ten or eleven perhaps?
There's a flight at ten twenty that gets in at two thirty.
That would be great. How much is it?
Two hundred and ten dollars plus tax.
Fine.
What's the name please sir?
Weyels. Jack Weyels - W.. .E... Y.. .E...L...S
How would you like to pay?
I'll pay on my VISA card.
Could you give me the card number and expiry date please sir? - Sure, it's 2235-2500-97664, January 20th, 2003.
Thank you for calling us. Please make sure you're at the airport forty minutes before the flight. Thank you. Bye.