• Miscellaneous

1. Ask English-speaking instructors or students to make up a list and rank the expressions for politeness for

1. asking permission;

2. giving advice

2. Analyze directives and negative commissives in the following extracts.

1. “ I have no desire to help you. You forget that I am simply indifferent to the whole thing. It has nothing to do with me”.

“Alan, I entreat you. Think of the position I am in. Just before you came I almost fainted with terror. You may know terror yourself some day. No! Don’t think of that. Look at the matter purely from the scientific point of view. You don’t inquire where the dead things on which you experiment come from. Don’t inquire now. I have told you too much as it is. But I beg of you to do this. We were friends once, Alan.”

(O.Wilde, Dorian Gray: 166)

2. “Don’t go to the theatre to-night, Dorian”, said Hallward. “Stop and dine with me”.

“ I can’t, Basil”

“ Why “

“Because I have promised Lord Henry Wotton to go with him”.

“He won’t like you the better for keeping your promises. He always breaks him own. I beg you not to go”.

Dorian Gray laughed and shook his head.

“ I entreat you”.

(O.Wilde, Dorian Gray: 34)

3. An English-speaking friend called and invited you to dinner, but you don’t feel like going. What might you say? Act out the dialogue.

4. Are the age and status of the person you are speaking to influence the forms of greetings, introductions and saying good-bye?

5. How do English-speaking people get attention, clarify topics, avoid topics and interrupt? Give examples.

6. Give examples of apologies and excuses for serious occurrences as compared to minor ones:

1) apologizing to someone who knows the situation;

2. apologizing when admitting mistakes;

3. apologizing for changing future plans

7. What are the main differences in the use of requests in your own language as compared to that in English?

8. Your friend wants to go to the park. You make an alternative suggestion. Try to be persuasive and make him/her agree to your suggestion.

9. Your friend's son has been terribly ill for a few weeks. Encourage her.

10. Your neighbours upstairs have a leaking water pipe that makes stains on your ceiling. Ring them up to complain.

• Speech Acts in Written Communication

1.Analyze the following standard cliches that are widely used in business correspondence.

1. We would like to point out that we offer our customers top quality repair facilities

2. Unfortunately, we must inform you that for competitive reasons our production line comprises only specific items.

3. We acknowledge receipt of your letter dated… Unfortunately, we are not in position to make you an offer.

4. Thank you very much for your letter of inquiry dated… Unfortunately, we must inform you that we do not export. All our products are exported by…

5. Thank you for your inquiry of … We also confirm receipt of your sample. Having examined it, we can assure you that we are able to produce an article of identical type and quality. Based on your annual requirement of … items, we can make the following offer….. May we assure you that these are our latest prices for the above-stated quantities. Should you have additional questions, feel free to contact us.

6. We would like to demonstrate our proficiency by a trial order. We assure you that all orders will be handled with utmost care. May we request a prompt reply.

7. We regret to inform you that we do not manufacture an item of the type you desire.

8. In your letter…. You requested amendments in our offer of… We must, however, inform you that other terms of payment are unfortunately not possible. We very much regret this, but we would have to reject the order should you insist on the changes cpecified.

9. We agree to amendments to our offer as requested in your letter of…

10. In reply to your inquiry, we must unfortunately inform you that our experience with that company has been most unsatisfactory. Deadlines were not kept. We would ask you to kindly treat this information as strictly confidential.

11. In reply to your inquiry concerning our terms of shipment, we would like to inform you as follows: …

12. We wish to confirm receipt of your order of … for the shipment of…

13. With reference to your order dated …, we wish to inform you that the goods you ordered have been shipped today.

14. In our letter dated …, we gave you a deadline for the delivery of our order. Unfortunately you have not been able to keep this deadline. Therefore, our order is hereby cancelled.

15. We must reject your complaints regarding the quality of the items we shipped to you. After a thorough examination, we find that the merchandise is identical to the sample you sent us when placing the order. Would you please check the shipment more.

16. We would like to ask you if you are interested in representing our firm in your country.

17. May I suggest that I come to see you on… so we can discuss all outstanding matters. I presume, you will reimburse me for all expenses covered by proper receipts.

18. We agree to your suggested visit on …

19. May I mention that now I represent some of the better-known companies…

20. We regret having to inform you that we are forced to cancel our contract which was dated … We have ceased all export shipments to … We wish to thank you for the excellent cooperation you have given us.

21. We would like very much to express our appreciation for the friendly reception you gave … We wish to confirm the arrangements whereby Mr X will visit us in May for further discussions. We wish to assure you that Mr X will be considered our guest for the duration of his visit.

22. We wish to congratulate you and offer our best wishes on the 10^th anniversary of your firm we would like to take this advantage to thank you for your pleasant cooperation over these years.

23. We wish to announce that we have opened a sales office in… We would be pleased if you would take full advantage of our services. We fully guarantee the quality of our products.

24. Mr X is fully authorized to act in the firm's name.

25. We would like to suggest a commission of 10%. Please let us know if you agree to our suggested commission.

26. After discussing the details, I wish to confirm the reservations for the convention as follows…