When opening conversations

Conversation 1
Karen: Hi, Charles! I haven’t seen you in ages! What have you been up to?
Charles: Karen! What a surprise! I’ve been studying at Smith University. What’s happening with you?
Karen: I’ve just been on a two-week cruise! Have you got time for coffee? We have some
catching up to do.
Charles: Sure! That sounds great.
會話一
凱倫：嗨，查爾斯！幾百年沒看到你了！你都在做什麼啊？
查爾斯：凱倫！真意外！我一直在史密司大學讀書。你最近如何？
凱倫： 我才參加了一個為期兩星期的遊輪假期！你有沒有時間喝杯咖啡啊？我們得好好聊聊近況。
查爾斯：當然有啊！那太好了。
Usually the person wanting the dialog to end gives verbal

signals. It is polite to respond to these signals called “preclosings.” If someone ignores them and does not help close the conversation, a stronger pre-closing can be used. Here is a list of statements you can use to show that you are ready to end the conversation:
* Well, I’m afraid I have to be going.
* I really must go now. (stronger)
* Well, it’s getting late.
* I t ’s been a pleasure talking with you.
* It was nice seeing you. (note past tense)
* I know you are busy, so I’ll let you go.
通常想要結束對話的一方，會發出言語上的信號。禮貌上，應該對這些稱做「結束前語」
的信號給予回應。如果有人不理會這些結束前語，而不結束談話，就得使用更強烈的結束
前語。以下列舉一些句子可以用來表達你已經準備好要結束談話：
★ 嗯，我恐怕得走了。
★ 我真的非走不可了。（較強烈）
★ 已經很晚了。
★ 能跟你聊天真開心。
★ 很高興能見到你。（注意是過去式）
★ 我知道你很忙，所以就放你走囉。
To conclude the conversation, we often use words that convey interest and
warmth. But don’t be misled. An invitation to “get together again” may not
mean a definite commitment. It’s more of a friendly gesture.
Here is a sample of phrases that express these thoughts:
* Let’s get together soon.
* We must have lunch!
* I’ll call you.
* See you soon.
* Come again.
* Talk to you later.
結束談話時，我們通常會使用一些表達關心和親切的話語。不過也不要會錯意，一句
「下次再聚」的邀請，可能不是一個絕對的承諾，多半只是一種友善的表示。下面有
一些表達這些感受的句子：
★ 我們近期再聚。
★ 我們一定要一起吃中飯！
★ 我會再打電話給你。
★ 打電話給我喔！
★ 很快再見喔。
★ 再來喔。
★ 稍後再聊。

Conversation 3
Abby: Hello! I’m Abby from the accounting department. Welcome to Sunlight Company.
We’re meeting on the 4th floor this morning.
Bob: Hi, Abby. I’m Bob. Thanks. I guess I’m still a bit confused.
Abby: To get to the conference

room, take the elevator at the end of this hall.
I’d take you there, but I’m supposed to meet the boss right now. Well, we’ll talk more later.
Bob: OK. See you again.
Abby: Yeah. Take it easy. ‘Bye.
會話三
愛比：哈囉！我是會計部的愛比。歡迎到陽光公司來。我們今天早上在四樓開會。
包柏：嗨，愛比，謝謝你。我想我還是有一點搞不清楚。
愛比：上會議室可以到走廊盡頭坐電梯。我很想帶你過去，但我現在得去和老闆開會。
嗯，我們稍後再談囉。
包柏：OK，再見。
愛比：嗯，放輕鬆點，再見。
Practice the skills of opening and closing conversations with a friend. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
1. You need to leave work early for a doctor’s appointment. Tell your supervisor.
2. You meet a friend you haven’t seen in a long time. She’d like to visit, but you have a music lesson to get to.
3. You need to delay your friend so that other friends can finish getting ready for her surprise party. Try ignoring her pre-closing statements!
練習：
跟一位朋友練習開始及結束談話的技巧。以下是一些幫你開口的建議：
1. 你得提早下班去看醫生，去跟你的主管說。
2. 你碰到一位很久不見的朋友，她想到你家拜訪，但是你得去上音樂課。
3. 你必須留住一個朋友，好讓其他人有時間準備好特別為他舉辦的驚喜派對，試著不要
理會她的結束前語！


⊙Word Bank
catch up (v phr) 趕上，此指互道近況
verbal (adj) 言辭的
conference (n) 會議

@The Day's Phrase
Don't lose your head.
別驚慌失措
I often shop at night markets. You can get some good deals there.
我常在夜市買東西, 你可以在那裡買到些便宜的好貨

Can I talk to you for a minute? Sure, what's up?
我可以和你談一下話嗎? 當然, 什麼事啊?

Stop tapping that pen on your desk! It's driving me crazy.
別再用筆敲桌子了, 快把我弄瘋了.

Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.
火缺了柴, 就必熄滅; 無人傳舌, 爭競便止息.

What a day! Ten customers called me this afternoon!
這是什麼日子啊! 今天下午十位顧客打電話給我.