TELEPHONING IN ENGLISH
As the world is turning global we are using English as the medium to communicate with other countries. More often than not, in business culture we are asked to team up [1] with people abroad[2]! How do you handle[3] it?

Even the most fluent speakers of English may find telephoning a great source[4] of stress due to the unpredictability factor. But, there are situations where you cannot avoid it. For example when you need an immediate feedback, or when you need to consult someone before you take some action.

Let’s go over the basics of telephoning:
1) OPENING
2) INFORMATION TRANSFER
3) CLOSING
Opening
Politeness[5] is key in business culture! You should start a phone conversation by greeting[6] your interlocutor, then, after some questioning on his/her well-being (“how are you” or “how are things”), you should check that you are not disturbing or interrupting (“Are you free for a few minutes”). The next step will be to explain the reason for your call (“I’m just checking your availability for a meeting …”). If your interlocutor says that he/she is not available[7] ask them to call back or tell them that you’ll call back. Avoid the temptation to continue the conversation by saying “I just briefly[8] wanted…”, it is really annoying[9]!
Information transfer
Preparation of your speech[10] is fundamental here. Try to gather up[11] all information that you may need or could come up[12] during the conversation. So if you are asking for information, take notes of all the points that you need to discuss. The same applies, if you are giving information.
Due to [13] possible misunderstandings[14] arising[15] from poor knowledge[16] of English, make sure you confirm information or actions before you pass on[17] to the next point.

Be aware [18] of false friends such as:
v “conveniente” is not “convenient”. “Convenient” means “quando fa.. o con comodo”, therefore if you want to say “puoi mandarmi le informazioni con comodo” “you should say “send me your information when it’s convenient for you” and not “…when it is comfortable for you…”.
v “annoy” is not “annoiare”. “Annoy” means “irritare”.
v “occur” is not “occorrere”. “Occur” means “succedere, capitare ”.
v “eventually” is not “eventualmente”. “Eventually” means “infine; finalmente”.
v “so far” is not “così lontano”. “So far” means “fino ad oggi”.
v English say “I don’t mind!” instead of “It’s the same for me” .

To avoid these tricky[19] expressions, listen to and copy native speakers and then use the same words.

Finally, sometimes Italian speakers sound a little too direct in English. You should try to introduce some “would” and “could” here and there. For example “I’d like to speak to Richard Deans” and not “I want to speak to …”. “Could you say that again, please?” and not “Say that again”.
Closing
Make a final positive comment such as “if you could send it today, that would be fantastic.” And express your thanks “thank you for your help”. Finally say goodbye.


In the next few pages you’ll find some basic conversations. Try to practise them on your own [20] or with your colleagues and don’t forget to post us your feedback in the community!

Negli allegati trovi un’accurata lista di vocaboli relativi al “telefono e telefonare”; un elenco dei “Phrasal Verbs più usati in questo contesto” con relativo esempio e traduzione ed alcuni consigli su come costruire il tuo messaggio in “Strutturare il pensiero” ed in “Esprimere Opinioni”….
[1] Team up = far squadra con
[2] Abroad = all’estero
[3] Handle = gestire
[4] Source = fonte
[5] Politeness = cortesia, educazione
[6] Greeting = salutando
[7] Available = disponibile
[8] Briefly = brevemente
[9] Annoying = irritante
[10] Speech = discorso
[11] Gather up = raccogliere, mettere insieme
[12] Come up =venir fuori, presentarsi
[13] Due to = causa di
[14] Misunderstandings = equivoci
[15] Arising = (qui) provocati
[16] Poor knowledge = cattiva o mediocre (talvolta anche “insufficiente”) conoscenza
[17] Pass on = proseguire, passare a…
[18] Be aware of = fate attenzione
[19] Tricky = ingannevole
[20] On your own = per conto vostro, da soli