3
Business phone calls
Textbook: p. 8
GoalFormal (business) phone calls: polite phrases, spelling a name, writing a message.
New words
answerphone · javob qaytargich (avtojavob)telephone directory · telefon ma’lumotnomasiwrong number · noto‘g‘ri raqamhold on · kuting (aloqada qoling)
Explanation
Business calls use more formal language. The caller says Could I speak to Mr Karimov, please? The person answering may say I’m afraid he isn’t here today or Who’s speaking, please? I’m afraid is a soft way to give unwelcome news. If a name is not clear, we say Could you spell your name, please? and then spell it letter by letter. If the number or person is wrong, we say wrong number. To ask someone to wait we say Hold on, please. At the end the message is written in a short form: Date, For, From, Message. An answerphone message sounds like this: Nobody is in the office. Please leave a message after the tone.
Worked examples
A: Good morning, Orient Travel. B: Good morning. Could I speak to Ms Rakhimova, please? A: I’m afraid she is in a meeting. Who’s speaking, please? B: It’s Bakhtiyor Yusupov. Please ask her to ring me back. A: Could you spell your surname, please? B: Y-U-S-U-P-O-V.
Message. Date: 4 May. For: Ms Rakhimova. From: Mr Yusupov. Message: Please ring him back about the tickets.
Class activity
“The office”: two groups play office staff and customers. The customer spells a name aloud and the clerk fills in a message form.
Practice
1
Ask politely for Mr Karimov in a business call.
Could I speak to Mr Karimov, please?
2
Spell the name “Rahimov” aloud in letters.
R-A-H-I-M-O-V
3
Which four headings are on the message form?
Date, For, From, Message
4
Why is “I’m afraid he isn’t here” better than “He isn’t here”?
It gives bad news politely and softly, which matters in formal communication.