Datafile

This datafile gives you some additional terms and phrases commonly used in making telephone calls. Learn these paying attention to some differences between UK and US variants.

UK		US
The phone book
Look up their number in the phone book (or directory).
		I’ll look up the number in the telephone book.
The number is ex-directory.		The number is unlisted.
I’ll ring Directory Enquiries for the number.		I’ll call information.
The line
He’s on the other line.
Would you like to hold the line?
The line is engaged.		The line is busy.
The dial
Dial 123 for the correct time.
Listen for the dialing tone ...
All lines to the country you have dialed are engaged. Please try later.
The receiver
Can I help you?
Putting you through.
I’m afraid he’s not available at the moment.		I’m afraid he’s tied up at the moment.
You’re welcome.
Goodbye.

The operator
Dial 100 for the operator.	Dial 0 (zero) for the operator.
I’d like to make a reverse charge (or transfer charge) call.	I’d like to make a collect call.
A message pad
Can I tell him who called?
Could I take your number?
Can I give her a message?

Remember:

If you don’t understand, say: “Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.” “Sorry, could you say that again.”

Direct dialing

With direct dialing, you go strait through to the number of the person you want in the UK, and you pay in the country you’re in. All you need to know is the telephone number in the UK, which is made up of the phone number itself, and its area code, e.g. 0272 (area code for Bristol).

When dialing from abroad you must always omit the initial ‘0’ of the area code.

The only other information you need is the international code for the UK which you must dial first. This will vary from country to country.

Remember, for direct dialing you will need to know:

INTERNATIONAL UK AREA CODE LOCAL

CODE FOR (LEAVING OUT NUMBER

THE UK INITIAL ‘0’)

For instance, to call Bristol (0272) 12345 from Austria you just dial 0044 272 12345 and you’re through.

Note:

Several countries, like the UK, have cheaper international calls at certain times for direct dialing.

Exercise 11. Decide whether the following are true or false.

1. For international calls you dial: the country code + the area code + the number.

2. The caller does not pay for a collect call.

3. Directory Enquiries will put you through to the number you want.

4. Switchboard and operator are the same people.

5. The dialing tones for ‘ringing’ and ‘engaged’ are different.

Exercise 12. Insert the missing word.

1. Look it _________ in the directory.

2. He’s _________ the other line.

3. Listen ________ the dialing tone.

4. He’s tired _____________.

5. She’ll ring ____________.

Exercise 13. Insert the correct term.

UK term	US term
Directory Enquires	_______________
reverse charge call	_______________
_______________	busy
_______________	area code
ex-directory	_______________

Exercise 14. a) Read the following conversations and do exercises below. Meet people of “Bibary Systems” and those working with them.

Geraldine – a receptionist

Jenny Ross – the Head of Administration in the Marketing Department

Edward Green – Marketing Executive

Don Bradley – Sales and Marketing Director

Dave – Phil Watson’s Assistant

Derek Jones – Head of R&D Department

Mr. Smith – Top Executive of some Trade Company

Clive Harris – Executive Director (Manager)

Kate McKenna – Head of Sales Department

Mr. Sakai – has business contacts with Bibary Systems