第12课　HITHERTO FORE

You might wonder why Jane answered "three" in the last lesson when Gary asked her how many alphabets there were in Japan. This is because Japan has three different systems of writing: one is the same as the Chinese system, and the other two have symbols that represent syllables. This is what Jane thought Gary was asking her about. Also, Gary's "I never sure" should be "I'm never sure".

Jaya is in the office writing an e-mail to a client.

Jaya: Yours sincerely. No. Yours faithfully. Tch! Mei Ling? What should it be? "Yours sincerely" or "Yours faithfully"?

Mei Ling: Sorry?

Jaya: I am writing this e-mail to the Paris Chamber of Commerce and I don't know how to sign it.

Mei Ling:　Well, do you know the person?

Jaya: No.

Mei Ling: What's their name?

Jaya: I don't know.

Mei Ling:　Well you should find out. Here, let me see. (reading) Dear Sir/Madam, In regards to the hitherto fore mentioned correspondence, I am corresponding to acquiesce to your request and will hence forward said brochures to your above mentioned address. Moreover, we at HotDotCom hope that our services can achieve your results.

Jaya: What do you think? I like the last part.

Mei Ling:　Jaya, I don't understand it.

Jaya: What?

Mei Ling:　What were you trying to say?

Jaya: That we will send her our brochures.

Mei Ling:　Then why didn't you say that?

Jaya: I did!

Mei Ling:　Firstly, don't write "Dear Sir/Madam" when with a phone call you can find out the person's name.

Jaya: Oh! Just ring their secretary, right?

Mei Ling:　Correct! Now, look at this first bit. (reading) "In regards to the hitherto fore mentioned corres-pondence..." What are you really trying to say here?

Jaya: Well, that I got her e-mail.

Mei Ling:　Then why not say, "Thank you for your e-mail".

Jaya: But that's not very formal.

Mei Ling:　It's formal enough. And it communicates clearly without lots of big words. Now the next bit, (reading) "...I am corres-ponding to acquiesce to your request and will hence forward said brochures to your above mentioned address." Hmmmm! What does "acquiesce" mean?

Jaya: I'm not sure.

Mei Ling:　Nor am I.

Jaya: What I was trying to say was that I will send them the brochures.

Mei Ling:　Then just say it. And the last bit, (reading) "Moreover, we at HotDotCom hope that our services can achieve your results."

Jaya: Can I try this by myself?

Mei Ling:　Sure.

Jaya: Give me five minutes.

Later, after Jaya has re-written the e-mail.

Mei Ling:　(reading) Dear Ms. Hatcher.

Jaya: I found out her name and she likes to be addressed as Ms.

Mei Ling:　Good. (Reading) Thank you for your e-mail. I will send you the brochures immediately and I am sure we can provide the service you are looking for. Yours sincerely... Very good. Have you posted the brochures?

Jaya: Yes.

Mei Ling:　Great. Perfect.

Narrator:　When writing a business e-mail or letter, it is important to be clear. People are busy and they don't want to wade through big words to find out what you are saying. Be brief, polite and courteous. Don't try to impress. A business e-mail or letter should communicate and build a relationship.

《联合早报》

Speak Good English Phone-in Lesson
打电话·听课文 1800 7341015

Speak Well, Be Understood.　好英语，利沟通。
Written by Laraine Bamrah, Paul Tolton, Delphia Choo, Alaisdair Raynham and Steve Adams for the British Council in association with the Speak Good English Movement.
©Ministry of Information and The Arts and British Council Singapore 2001

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