Т. Шелкова - Can You Speak Over the Telephone. Как вести беседу по телефону
Tourist A: We are foreigners, Sir, and do not know much either about the Congress or the State Department. Do you mind if we ask you some questions?
Guide: Of course not. Go ahead. What is it that you’d like to know?
Tourist B: Does the Congress take part in US foreign policy formulation?
Guide: Very much so. The US participation in world affairs since World War II has greatly expanded the role of the Congress in foreign policymaking.
Tourist C: We thought that this was the competence of the State Department.
Guide: This is what the foreigners usually think. The President is the central figure of American foreign policy, and the final responsibility is his.
Tourist D: And the State Secretary’s?
Guide: While the President makes the most critical decisions, he cannot possibly attend to all matters affecting international relations. The Secretary of State, the first-ranking member of the Cabinet, is at the same time the President’s principal adviser in formulating foreign policy.
Tourist A: What are the problems requiring the attention of the Secretary?
Guide: They are manifold — from maintaining country’s security to rescuing an individual American who got in serious trouble in some remoted area of the world.
Dialogue 2 (Continuation)
Tourist B: And where does the Congress come into picture?
Guide: To begin with, none of this country’s far-reaching, programs — participation in the United Nations, economic, technical and military assistance — would have been possible without congressional action.
Tourist C: The annual appropriations of funds for enormous military build up, I presume, need congressional approval, too?
Guide: Absolutely so, but only on the recommendations of the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees of both Houses.
Tourist D: Who are the members of numerous House and Senate Committees?
Guide: They are usually experienced and authoritative members of Congress with long service. Their inspections abroad and participation in US delegations to the UN General Assembly and to many other international conferences give them firsthand experience with US foreign problems.
Tourist A: Who informs the members of Congress on the current foreign policy issues?
Guide: The Secretary of State does. He meets regularly with the members of Senate and House Committees and brief s them on a broad range of foreign policy matters. They are kept well-informed of the international developments affecting this country.
Tourist B: Does the State Department provide these bodies with comprehensive reports on US foreign policy?
Guide: To further facilitate the relationship with the Congress, the Secretary of State annually provides the Committees with a comprehensive report on US Foreign Policy.
Tourist D: Any other channels of communication with the Congress?
Guide: Yes, a constant and substantial interchange of views between the members of the Congress and the Department goes on through the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations.
Tourist D: Very well, Sir. On behalf of the foreign students I should like to thank you for a very interesting and detailed talk on the congressional participation in foreign policymaking.
WORDS AND WORD COMBINATIONS YOU MAY NEED
a critical decision решение по важному, не терпящему отлагательств вопросу
to attend to matters уделять внимание вопросам
the first-ranking member of the Cabinet член кабинета, занимающий наиболее высокое положение
manifold а многочисленный, разнообразный
rescue v спасать, оказывать помощь
annual appropriations годовые ассигнования
military build up наращивание военных сил
numerous a многочисленный
firsthand experience личный опыт
G. MISCELLANEA
Mr Stogov: Hello, is that Parson’s Garage?
Telephone Voice: Yes, this is Fred Parson.
Mr Stogov: Good. This is Stogov. What I wanted to say, was that I can’t quite understand why you have sent me another bill for ₤25, considering that I’ve paid this bill already. I think it was at least four weeks ago.
Telephone Voice: Oh, sorry about that. You see, we’ve got a new girl in the office and she hasn’t quite got the hang of things yet. Just ignore it, will you? Sorry to have caused you this inconvenience. It won’t happen again, — at least, I hope not.
Mr Stogov: So do I. Good afternoon.
2. Thank You Talk
Mr Saveliev: Could I speak to Mr Abbott, please?
Mr Abbott: Speaking.
Mr Saveliev: Good morning, Mr Abbott. This is Saveliev.
Mr Abbott: Good morning, Mr Saveliev. I am glad to hear from you. How are you?
Mr Saveliev: Fine, and you, Jack?
Mr Abbott: I am fine, too.
Mr Saveliev: Thank you for the birthday card and the champagne. The card gave me as much pleasure as the wine.
Mr Abbott: How was it, good?
Mr Saveliev: It’s the best champagne I have ever had. You certainly hit the spot[16] with your gift. We missed both of you at the birthday party.
Mr Abbott: It’s a pity Alice and I could not come. But you know the reason.
Mr Saveliev: Yes, I do. We drank to your health. I hope you’ll come to my wife’s birthday party this spring.
Mr Abbott: Of course, we’ll be happy to. Best regards to Irene.
Mr Saveliev: Thank you. Say hello to Alice, please.
Mr Abbott: I will, good-bye.
Mr Saveliev: Good-bye.
3. Asking After Health
Mr Butov: Hello. May I speak to Mr Frost, please?
Secretary: Just a moment. Mr Frost, it’s for you.
Mr Frost: Hello, who’s speaking?
Mr Butov: This is Mr Butov.
Mr Frost: Good afternoon, Mr Butov. I haven’t heard from you since October.
Mr Butov: I had the flu for a couple of weeks, but I’m fine now.
Mr Frost: I’m glad to hear that. We did have a spell of bad weather.
Mr Butov: By the way, did you hear what happened to Fred Jackson?
Mr Frost: No, what about him?
Mr Butov: He has had such a bad case in the flu that they’ve taken him to the hospital.
Mr Frost: I am sorry to hear that. Poor fellow, he won’t be able to attend the session of the Assembly, then.
Mr Butov: I’m afraid not. And what about you, Mr Frost? Will you be present at the session?
Mr Frost: Unless I get ill.
Mr Butov: I hope you won’t. See you on Tuesday. Good-bye.
Mr Frost: Good-bye, Mr Butov.
4. Ordering Foodstuffs
Operator: Hello. Supermarket. Can I help you?
Mr Petrov: Hello. This is Petrov speaking. I’d like you to send me some things, please.
Operator: I’ll put you through to the Deliveries Department.
Mr Petrov: Thank you.
Deliveries Department: Good morning. Deliveries.
Mr Petrov: I’d like some things sent this morning, please.
D.D.: I’m afraid we can’t manage anything this morning. One of the van men hasn’t reported for work today. I’ll do my best to arrange it for this afternoon. May I have your name, please?
Mr Petrov: Mr Petrov. 14, Hereford Drive.
D.D.: Thank you. What would you like?
Mr Petrov: Eight pounds of potatoes to start with; a large sliced loaf; a medium-sized cauliflower; a pound of beef sausages; half a pound of minced beef; a large bag of self-raising flour; half a dozen large eggs. That’s all.
D.D.: I’m not sure whether we keep beef sausages. Excuse me a moment. I’ll just check that. (He goes off to check and then comes back.) Hello. No, I’m sorry. We’ve got pork sausages.
Mr Petrov: I’ll try that then. By the way, you forgot to send the invoice with my last order. Send it this time, will you? I’d like to settle my account as I’m going on holiday next week. Could I have a statement of what I owe?
D.D.: Yes, sir. I’ll inform the accounts section and they’ll fit in your order this afternoon and send you the statement.
Mr Petrov: Thank you. Good-bye.
D.D.: Good-bye.
5. Flight Delays
Mr Blake: Good afternoon, Mr Vasiljev. This is Blake from the Protocol Department.
Mr Vasiljev: Good afternoon, Mr Blake.
Mr Blake: I’d like to bring to your attention that Flight 903 by which the Polish Delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Trade and Shipping is due to get to London is delayed. We’ve just had a message that owing to a dense fog all aircraft bound for London has been diverted to Amsterdam.
Mr Vasiljev: Thank you very much for letting us know. I wonder if you would be so kind as to give us a ring when you are sure of the time the plane will be arriving.
Mr Blake: Yes, don’t you worry. I’ll certainly do that. Good-bye.
Mr Vasiljev: Good-bye.
6. Making a Call from a Call-box
A gentleman enters a telephone call-box in a hurry, takes off the receiver and dials the number of trunk-call service at the exchange.
Operator: Trunk service. Number, please?
G.: Victoria 2904. I say, operator, will you hurry it up for me as I have to catch a train in a few minutes.
O.: Unless your number is engaged, I can put you through almost at once. Drop your coin, please, and press button A as soon as your number answers.
(The gentleman drops a coin and presently hears a high-pitched sound at the other end, the engaged signal.)
O.: I’m sorry, sir, your number is engaged. Will you press button В to get your money back? I suggest you try again in a minute or two.
G.: All right.
(After a while he rings the exchange once more.)
O.: Trunk service.
G: Will you try Victoria 2904 once more for me, please?
O.: Drop your coin, please. I have got your number! Hold the line, please.
G. (hears a voice): Are you there?
Voice (at the other end): This is Mr Jones’ house, 24 Strethem Road.
G: Oh, it’s you, Mary. Will you fetch Mrs Jones as quickly as you can.
Mrs Jones: Is that you, George, dear? How are you? So happy to hear your voice again! When will you be home again?
G.: I can’t hear you, dear. Your voice is ever so faint. There’s some background noise interfering.
O.: Can you hear your number all right?
G: No, I cannot, operator. Will you try and clear the line for me, please?
O.: Hold a minute, please. I think that’s better now.
G.: Are you there? Is that you, Lucy, dear? I say, can you hear me?
Mrs Jones: Yes, dear, I can.
G.: I’m arriving at Victoria at 5.40 this afternoon. Will you come to meet me there?
Mrs Jones: Certainly, dear.
O.: Your time is up. If you want to speak on drop another six-pence, please.
G: All right, dear, so long.
EXERCISES
I. Read these dialogues and reproduce them as close to the text as possible.
II. What would you say on the phone in reply to these remarks or questions?
1. Nick had a bad case in the flu and he was taken to the hospital. 2. The train from Liverpool is delayed. 3. Your number doesn’t answer. 4. I am having my birthday party next Saturday. I wonder if you and your wife would care to come. 5. Would you like to make a personal call or a station-to-station call? 6. There is no direct service between Washington and Madison, but let me see what the best connecting point is. 7. We would like you to confirm your reservation in writing. 8. I’m calling you to inquire about books by Soviet contemporary writers. Where can I get them? 9. Then could you manage to come over on Monday at eleven o’clock? 10. I was delighted to hear of your promotion. Congratulations!
III. In what situations would you say the following?
1. Sorry to have caused you this inconvenience. 2. Say hello to your wife, please. 3. I’m afraid he won’t be able to attend the conference. 4. I wonder if Flight 753 is due to get to London on schedule. 5. The aircraft bound for Moscow has been diverted to Amsterdam. 6. I wonder if you would be so kind as to give me a ring when you come to know the date of his departure. 7. I’m pretty sure we’re free on Sunday but I’ll have to check with my wife. 8. My call is really urgent. 9. No, thank you. I’ll call back later. 10. How long will it take to have my suit pressed? 11. Could you tell me when you have flights from here to Moscow? 12. You hit the spot with your gift.
