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]
Mrs Jones (rather puzzled): I’m Mrs Jones.
American: Oh, fine. I’m Drusilla Applebee, and I’m calling[132] about your house you advertised to rent[133] 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]. 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].
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], 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.
Mrs Jones: Oh dear, we mean we’ve been “put through”, we’re connected! Perhaps you’d like to come and see the house and then we needn’t misunderstand each other quite so much.
Mrs Applebee: I should love to see your house, but I’ve no car right now. Can I get to you easily some other way? I’m in Church Street.
Mrs Jones: You can take a 27 bus to the Twickenham roundabout, then use the subway right there…
Mrs Applebee: Excuse me, I didn’t know the subway went to Twickenham.
Mrs Jones: Oh, of course, my fault. The underground doesn’t go to Twickenham. I just meant when you get off the bus you take the passage under the road and when you come up the other side our house is at the end of Aldridge Avenue, opposite. How soon would you like to come?
Mrs Applebee: Is three o’clock today OK?
Mrs Jones: Fine, I’ll expect you.
EXERCISES
I. Define the meaning of these phrases. Make up sentences using them.
to ask somebody (to do) a favour, to be disorderly, to be rung up by somebody, to view one’s suggestion (un)favourably, to do something within reason, to give a party, to be wondering if, to redecorate a room (cottage, house), to know where you are, to be up to something, just the usual grind, to be off to (some town or a country), to be a comfort, as a matter of fact, to play hostess, to look nice in some dress, to look after somebody, it is terribly sweet of you, to come over, to stay with somebody, to get a day off, it’s settled, what’s wrong with him?, to be rather puzzled, to sound the sort of place we need, how many are you in the family?, to be so different about languages, to be put through, I should love to do something
II. Rephrase these sentences.
1. I’m ringing to ask you a small favour. 2. I’ll do anything — within reason, of course. 3. We’d love to come. 4. In about two weeks’ time. 5. Well, you know what it’s like. 6. What have you been up to since I saw you last? 7. James is off to Great Britain. 8. This is a comfort. 9. I’ll be tied with my work. 10. This situation has just come up for the first time. 11. I’m not going to play hostess. 12. When is this do in our club? 13. Her children are such little demons. 14. We usually get on fine. 15. It is so sweet of you. 16. Sort it out with Mike first. 17. Wednesday is his day off. 18. It’s settled. 19. What is wrong with him?
III. Give the American terms for:
to let, is that Mrs Jones?, to call up, a cupboard, a chest of drawers, to be through, now, subway, underground
IV. Fill in the missing remarks in these snatches of telephone conversation.
1.A: Is that Harry?
B: …
2. A: I’ve been ringing you for ten minutes and can’t get through. What’s the matter?
B: …
3. A: Could you do me a favour, Jack?
B: …
4.A: We wondered if you and your wife could come to our party.
B: …
5. A: We wanted to invite a lot of interesting people, but our flat is so small.
B: …
6. A: Why did you make up your mind to have your house redecorated?
B: …
7.A: It’s a pity you will not come to our party.
B: …
8. A: What have you been up to since I saw you last?
B: …
9. A: What have you been doing of late?
B: …
10. A: When did this thing come up for the first time?
B: …
11. A: Will there be a big job of entertaining people when they come?
B: …
12. A: When is this do at your Institute?
B: …
13. A: It is terribly sweet of you to invite us for your birthday party.
B: …
14. A: What’s wrong with my explanation?
B: …
15. A: Good morning, Jones is here.
B: …
16. A: Mrs Shirley, from the ad I found out that you are going to let your cottage for the summer. Could you give me some information about it?
B: …
17. B: How many are you in your family?
A: …
18. A: I would like to see your house. When should I come?
B: …
19. A: How could I get to your house?
B: …
20. A: Can I get there some other way?
B: …
21. A: …
B: How soon would you like to come?
V. Reproduce the telephone conversations as close to the text as possible.
VI. Make up telephone conversations considering these assignments.
1. You are going to rent a cottage at the seaside for a period of three summer months. In the advertisement section of a local paper you found a cottage which suits you. In a talk with the landlady find out: a) how far is the cottage from the beach; b) which is the best way to get there; c) what conveniencies are available in the house; d) what is the rent; e) when can you come to see the cottage.
2. Your wife and you go to the theatre for the Saturday night performance. Your neighbour kindly offers to be baby-sitting while you are at the theatre. In a telephone conversation thank her, tell her a few words about your son and give her some necessary advice.
Примечания:
1
code: a system of figures used to represent telephone numbers of the cities and countries which have been changed to all-figure numbers. A London all-figure number is 01-2222870. 01 is the code to be dialed if you make a call from telephones outside the London Area. But if you make a call in London you must dial only the last seven figures those after the hyphen.
For numbers in New York City dial: 0-01 212 followed by the last 7 digits of the number of the customer you require.
2
Complimentary Ticket пригласительный билет
3
I’ll see that you are paged in the restaurant. Я попрошу, чтобы вас вызвали из ресторана.
4
hors-d’oeuvre or turtle soup, sole or omelette, beef fillet or roast duckling закуска или суп из черепахи, палтус или омлет, говяжье филе или жареная утка
5
7 for 7.30 с 7 до 7.30 (сбор гостей)
6
BEA: British European Airways Британская европейская авиатранспортная компания
7
economy class: second class
8
Heathrow: the biggest airport in London
9
West London Air Terminal: central passenger station that serves as a junction with other lines
10
what’s playing Am. что будет
11
Eugene O’Neill (1888-1953): a prominent American playwright; “Long Day’s Journey into Night” «Долгий день уходит в ночь”
12
to have other fish to fry иметь другие более важные дела
13
I’m brimming over with joy and happiness. Я преисполнен радости и счастья.
17
free: unoccupied
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.
19
a Mr Weston: the fact that the operator uses the indefinite article with the name indicates that she does not know the caller.
20
on the line: a standard phrase used by operators to refer to an incoming call
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
22
surveyor инспектор, приемщик
23
Splendid: an exclamation of approval which may sound to some people just a little too hearty or pompous
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.
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.
26
subsidence осадка
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.
28
to hold things up: to delay proceedings (задержать работу)
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”.
30
the plating and polishing shops плакировочный и полировочный цехи
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”.
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”.
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.
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)”.
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.
36
at your disposal: prepared to carry on the conversation. A bit of business phraseology.
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”.
38
outlet duct выходная труба
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”.
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.
41
loadings нагрузка
42
Fine: an informal exclamation of approval or agreement
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.
44
get things moving: an informal way of saying “order work to start”
45
what with that and this: because of that and this
46
up to my ears in it: overloaded with work
47
round fortyish: around forty years old
48
a little bit heavy-going: rather too serious or pompous
49
got his head screwed on the right way: clever, intelligent
50
on hand: available
51
a bit short-handed: short of staff/workers
52
on the packing side: in the packing department
53
like the clappers: very quickly
54
haven’t got round to: haven’t managed to do/begin
55
a bit tricky: rather difficult
56
a spot of: a little
57
bung: put, throw
58
all laid on: all arranged
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”.
60
I’m afraid: a common conversational way of introducing an apologetic note into what is being said
61
there: in that respect
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.”
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.”
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.
65
our lot: our family
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”.
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”.
68
a dead loss: someone or something completely useless
69
scrabbling: combines the notions of crawling in and scratching about in (копаться, рыться)
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”.
71
I know just how it is: a phrase used to express concern and sympathetic understanding
72
mum and dad: the speaker’s way of referrring to herself and her husband
73
keep half an eye on: pay some attention to
74
too good to be true: a fixed phrase (так хорошо, что и не верится; невероятно)
75
allowing for: taking into account
76
a lot to offer: a fixed phrase often used for referring to something which has a number of desirable features
77
I tell you what: a colloquial way of introducing a suggestion
78
from over the road: the equivalent in less idiomatic English would be “who live on the other side of the road”
79
pop around: pop into
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”.
81
rattling on: colloquial for “chattering”
82
around: at home; “around the house” meaning “in the house”
83
only too glad: an expressive way of saying “glad”
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
85
How’s things: a colloquial variant of “How are you”
86
Croydon: a suburb of London
87
put me in with a chance: given me a chance
88
short-listed: placed on the “short list” of people who are selected from all the other applicants and given an interview.
89
for goodness sake: a mild exclamation often used to express varying degrees of exasperation
90
on the receiving end: in the position of receiving something
91
in the hot seat: a colloquial metaphor used of any uncomfortable situation
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
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”
94
we’ll see: we’ll see eventually what happens. Often used as a way of expressing doubt about the
95
loaded: loaded with money — a colloquialism
96
I don’t know about: a standard phrase for expressing doubt about whatever it introduces
97
scope: opportunity
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.
99
do anyone a bad turn: harm anyone
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.
101
move with the times: keep pace with current thinking. Another idiom that to some people might sound a little old-fashioned.
102
Too true: an emphatic way of agreeing’
103
have a bash: have a try’
104
Good for you: a common way of expressing approval of someone’s action
105
fed: gave
106
guff: a colloquialism for “information”, often used with the implication of irrelevance
107
lay it on too thick: exaggerate
108
go off: take a disliking to
109
cake walk it: the sense here is “get the job easily”. A “cake walk” is a simple undertaking.
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
111
a bit of a bind: a nuisance
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)
113
steady on: a means of asking someone to be slower or more cautious in their behaviour or statements
114
pop out: go out
115
the Home Counties: the counties adjacent to London
116
turn in: go to bed
117
within reason: not beyond one’s possibilities
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.
119
I’m afraid implies no fear, only regret that she has nothing more interesting to tell.
120
Just the usual grind is a way of describing monotony; nothing severe or otherwise unpleasant is implied.
121
come up: two idioms with “come” — “come up” meaning “to arise, to occur” and “come off meaning “to take place”
122
play hostess: “play” is often used as here to mean “fulfil the function of.
123
this do at Turin : “do”, used as a noun, is one of the many colloquial words for a social occasion.
124
Well, look here is more emphatic than “I say”, to begin a new statement.
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.
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.
127
get on means “get on well together”, “like each other and are good companions”.
128
sort it out with James: discuss this question with James
129
I’ll come over simply means “I’ll come to you”.
130
frig: refrigerator
131
Is this Mrs Jones?: Americans begin a telephone call by asking, “Is this…?” whereas the English ask, “Is that…?”
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.
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.
134
right now: an English person would probably just say “now” or “at the moment”.
135
Closet is rarely used in England and would generally be taken to refer to “water-closet”.
136
Gosh!: an exclamation of extreme surprise