原汁原味商务英语播客 第39课含糊地表达(上)

 　　Today is the first in a two-part Business English Podcast lesson on using vague language. “Vague” means not clearly defined. For example, if you ask someone what time it is and they say “About 7 or so,” they are being vague. There are lots of reasons to be vague. Sometimes you need to be vague because you don’t know some information or because the information is not important. And sometimes vague language is just more polite.

　　今天是有关使用“含糊的语言”的2节英语商务播客中的第1节。“含糊的”意思是不清楚地表达。比如：如果你问别人时间，他们说“大概7点左右”，这就是含糊的表达。有很多理由来含糊地表达。有时候你需要含糊表达，因为你不知道情况，或那些情况不重要。有时候含糊的表达更礼貌。

　　In these two episodes, we’ll be looking at how to speak in a vague way, but different situations require different styles. You’ll have to use your knowledge of the culture, the people and the situation that you are dealing¹ with to decide which style is most appropriate. Our goal is to give you the communication tools you need to succeed in different environments. In future episodes, we’ll also be looking at other styles of speaking.

　　在这两节中，我们将要学习如何含糊地表达，不同的情况需要不同的方法。你必须使用文化知识，你正处理的人和情况来决定那种方式更合适。我们的目标是教给你在不同情形中你需要用到的交流工具。在以后得课节中，我们也会学习其他的说话技巧。

　　You’ll be listening to Jen and Mike, two employees at Nexus² communications. Jen is inviting³ Mike to a party.

　　你会听到Jen和Mike，两个在Nexus工作的雇员。Jen正邀请Mike去参加晚会。

　　Listening Questions:

　　1) What do you think Jen means by “ulterior motive⁴?”

　　2) Is Mike a computer expert?

1 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

2 nexus   

n.联系；关系

参考例句：

• Shared ambition is the vital nexus between them.共同的志向是把他们联结在一起的重要纽带。
• Either way,the nexus between the consumer and consumer prices is important.无论那个方面，消费者与消费价格之间的关系是至关重要的。

3 inviting   

adj.诱人的，引人注目的

参考例句：

• An inviting smell of coffee wafted into the room.一股诱人的咖啡香味飘进了房间。
• The kitchen smelled warm and inviting and blessedly familiar.这间厨房的味道温暖诱人，使人感到亲切温馨。

4 motive   

n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的

参考例句：

• The police could not find a motive for the murder.警察不能找到谋杀的动机。
• He had some motive in telling this fable.他讲这寓言故事是有用意的。