1. I was born in Edinburgh in 1974. When my mum was pregnant with me, she was convinced that I was going to be a boy because I kicked so much...! I have lived in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Florence, Bologna and Pescara. But my favourite place is where I spent my holidays as a child: Galloway, in the south-west of Scotland I have a degree in Music and Italian Studies and a PhD in linguistics. My research interest in metaphor combines psychology, learning, language, and non- linguistic communication I have been a musician all my life, and can play piano, violin, cello and some baroque instruments. I sing in the Coro della Virgola and still do some solo concerts when I can find the time...

2. Edinburgh Galloway

3. Leaving a message

4. Phone calls are conversations A phone call is actually three conversations: Hello What Im calling about Goodbye

5. When we make a phone call, we expect some things to happen We expect the phone to ring 2-3 times before being answered Dring dring... dring dring...dring dring... HELLO? We expect to say some meaningless things before we say what we really want to say Hello? - Hello, how are you? - Fine thanks how are you? - Oh fine, you know. We expect to have a conversation i.e. Exchange information with a person We expect to say some meaningless things before we hang up Oh well, nice speaking to you – Yeah, you too – speak soon bye – Bye then, bye – Bye bye – Bye.

6. Sometimes we cant speak to the person were phoning In order to cope with this situation, we need to learn how to leave a message This is also very formulaic, but different to a phone- call formula, because there is no conversation. There are still 3 phases, but the first and last are extended: 1. Say hello, and introduce yourself Hi, its ___ here. 2. Say what you need to say I need to talk to you about... 3. Say goodbye and when youll be in contact again Well, Ill try to call you back later. Bye.

7. Leaving a message is always a disconcerting experience, but it is easier with voicemail than with a real-life secretary because... 1. You speak directly to the person you were wanting to speak to 2. You dont have to interact with a person you dont know (= understand their accent) 3. You dont need to paraphrase what you were wanting to say

8. Typical phrases in a voicemail message Office You have reached Wellington International. All our operators are busy at the moment. Please leave your name and number and we will call you back. Impersonal Please leave a message after the tone. Private Hello, Im not able to take your call at the moment. Please leave a message and Ill call you back / Ill get back to you. Personal ??? (anything is possible)

9. You dont always realise immediately that youre not speaking to the person you want to speak to... Hello? So you might start by saying Is that ___? Am I speaking to ____? Or you could always start by saying Could I speak to ____, please? Can I speak to ____? Is ____ there?

10. A Hello? B Hello. Can I speak to Mr Mills, please? A Im sorry, Im afraid hes busy. (oh dear – what now??? This is where it gets stressful!) The secretary asks who you are Whos calling? Can I take your name, please? 1. Then offers to forward your call Ill put you through. Just a moment. Hold the line. 2. Or offers to take a message Can I take a message? Would you like to leave a message?

11. Leaving a message on voicemail Hi/ Hello, its ____ here. (=informal) This is ____ speaking. (=neutral) This is a message for ____ from ____ (=formal) Leaving a message with a real person Im ____ (=informal) This is ____ speaking. (=neutral) My name is ____ (=formal)

12. Leaving a message on voicemail (=direct speech) Calling a friend for a chat I just called for a chat. Its nothing important. Calling somebody you know for information Im calling to ask / say / let you know... Calling somebody you dont know for information Im calling about _____. Leaving a message with a real person (=indirect speech) Calling somebody you know for information Im calling to ask / say / let you know... Calling somebody you dont know for information Im calling about _____.

13. Leaving a message on voicemail (=direct speech) Calling a friend for a chat Ill try and call/phone you later Calling somebody you know for information Ill call/phone back later if I dont hear from you first Calling somebody you dont know My number is ____ / I can be reached on _______. Leaving a message with a real person (=indirect speech) Calling somebody you know for information Tell him/her Ill call/phone back later if I dont hear from him/ her first Calling somebody you dont know My number is ____ / I can be reached on _______.

14. Leaving a message on voicemail Calling a friend for a chat Speak soon. Take care. Bye then. Bye. Calling somebody you know for information Thats all. Thanks. Goodbye. Calling somebody you dont know Thank you. Goodbye. Leaving a message with a real person Thats all. Thanks. Goodbye.

15. Choose the most appropriate response a) Can I speak to Tony? b) My name is Bond, James Bond. c) Oh, right. Can I leave a message?

16. Choose the most appropriate message to leave on the voicemail a) Alrigh, nigga! Hows tings? Hey man, I need some blow, You got some, huh? b) Hello, Im calling about the advert you placed in the paper for pharmaceutical products c) Listen, things really arent working out between us. We need to talk. Call me, OK?

17. Which phrase is an appropriate way to end this call? a) Can I leave a message? b) Id like to speak to him as soon as possible. c) After five thirty, then. Thanks.