33 Act out the following episodes:

Mr Hill speaks with the receptionist.

Mr Hill speaks with Mr James' secretary.

Mr Hill speaks with Mr James.

Text 5: Business correspondence

Correspondence is an essential part of business. In spite of telephone, telex, telegraphic, faximile and e-mail communica­tion, the writing of letters continues; in fact most telephoned and telegraphed communications have to be confirmed in writing.

Every letter, no matter what kind it is, should be laconic, precise, to the point and positive.

Letters are written on various occasions and on various subject matters. Many business letters are connected with es­tablishing business relations, doing business and various mis­cellaneous questions.

Here is one of many business letters:

24 October 2004 Mr Walter Drake Chairman The Drake and Sons Engineering Co. Ltd., Bristol, 5, England Dear Sir, I wish to thank you most warmly for your excellent hospitality extended to me during my visit to your company. The opportu­nity to meet you and your directors was something I had long looked forward to. I can only hope now that one day I may be able to receive a visit here from you. I very much appreciated your kindness and that of Mr James Frobisher in showing me round the new plant. I thank you once again. Yours faithfully, John Gibbs President Metal Equipment Inc.

Vocabulary

essential - существенный, неотъемлемый

e-mail (email) = elec­tronic mail- электронная почта, адрес электронной почты

to confirm - подтвердить

in writing - в письменном виде

to the point - по существу

occasion- случай, повод

on various occasions - по различным поводам

to be connected with smth- быть связанным с чем-либо

to establish - установить

to establish business relations - установить деловые отноше­ния

miscellaneous - разный

miscellany - смесь, сборник

chairman - председатель

hospitality - гостеприимство

to extend hospitality to smb - проявить гостеприимство к кому-либо

to look forward to smth - с нетерпением ожидать чего-либо

to appreciate - оценивать

to show smb round a building (pavillion, shop, plant) - показывать кому-либо здание (павильон, цех, завод)

faithfully - верно, добросовестно

yours faithfully- с совершенным почтением

Exercises

34 Underline the Attributes and say how they are expressed (by adjectives, nouns, pronouns, participles or infinitives):

essential part

various occasions

laconic and positive letters

various miscellaneous questions

facsimile and telephone mes­sages

excellent hospitality extended to me

the opportunity to meet you

the kindness of Dr. James Frobisher in showing me around

your kindness and hospitality

my visit

35 Answer the following questions:

(1) What kinds of communication does the text mention?

(2) Is letter writing rather popular?

(3) Do you like writing letters?

(4) What rules should be observed when writing a letter?

(5) In what cases are business letters written?

(6) Who is John Gibbs?

(7) To whom did he write the letter?

36 Write down the questions for the following answers:

(1)_______________? - He had met Mr Frobisher there.

(2)_______________? - Oh, he was received very warmly.

(3)________________? - Yes, Mr Gibbs wrote this letter to thank Mr Drake for his hospitality. It is quite common to write a letter on such an occasion.

(4)________________? - To my mind, Mr Gibbs invited Mr Drake to visit his office one day.

(5)________________? - I wouldn't say so.

37 Imagine you are a president of a company and you are writing a similar letter. Write it down.

38 Read the letter:

SYSTEM FURNITURE plc Brookffeld Industrial Estate, Twyford, Westshire TD3 2BS Tel: 0193-384 1923 E-mail: furniture.twi@uk.pwc.com Fax:0193-2196734 Our ref: RPL/PE Your ref: 11 March 2004 Mr G R Fullbrook Manager Midland Bank plc 14 The Square Twyford Westshire TD9 4LT Dear Mr Fullbrook This is to confirm my telephone conversation with you today when you kindly agreed to see Mr R P Lodge, Chief Accountant of this company, at 14:00 hrs on Monday 18 March 2004 at your bank, Mr Lodge would like to discuss with you a new scheme which the company has under considera­tion for the payment of staff salaries. In the meantime, I shall be grateful if you will please send Mr Lodge a copy of your brochure outlining the new system which your bank offers. Yours sincerely Pauline Ellis (Miss) Secretary to Chief Accountant Registered office: Brookffeld Industrial Estate, Twyford, Westshire TP3 2BS Registered No. 584305 England_

Write down the translation of the following words (consult a dictionary if necessary)

furniture

scheme

in the meantime

to offer

accountant

salary

to outline

sincerely

Answer the following questions:

Who wrote this letter?

To whom was it addressed?

What was the main message of the letter?

Use your imagination and write a reply to this letter.

39. Have a look at the diagram below showing the procedure for outgoing mail:

Letter is checked to see that it is signed and enclosures are, where necessary, attached

Address on the envelope is checked with the address on the letter. If there is a discrepancy both the letter and the envelope should be returned to the typist for verification and retyping

Letter is folded, care being taken not to fold it more than is necessary to fit into its envelope

Letter is placed in the envelope which is sealed securely

Envelope is weighed and stamped or franked by machine

Details from the envelope may be entered in a postage account

The envelopes are tied in bundles or placed in franking machine pouches with all the addresses facing in one direction

Special items of mail, such as registered, recorded delivery, airmail, etc which require labels or forms or have to be handed over the counter of the post office are kept apart from the remainder of the post

The postal clerk arranges for the mail to be delivered to the post office, completes any necessary forms and collects the receipts

Say:

Which step seems most important to you and why.

Which step seems most time-consuming.

Why are articles mostly missing in this diagram.

Which words are new to you here.

40 Answer the following questions:

(1) Do you often turn to dictionaries?

(2) What kinds of dictionaries have you got at home?

(3) What other dictionaries would you like to have?

(4)When do businessmen turn to dictionaries?

41 Read and translate the following e-mail message:

To: trade@bf.co.uk Subject: Seasonal wishes Ladies and gentlemen Near the close of another year, we would like to take this opportunity of thanking our friends and customers for their continued confidence and cooperation. We send you and your families our best wishes for Christmas and a very prosperous New Year. Sincerely yours, International Office Equipment Inc.