CD-Roms and software packages
Quite often, the information you need is not situated in only one paragraph, but has to be picked out throughout (partout dans) the text. This is one of the reasons why you have to work on an outline (un plan) before starting to write your summary. Let’s take an example.
3.4 Fill in the chart Fill in the chart to show how the following elements are linked together 1. Nortel
a. a subsidiary company
1-
2. Electronic Software Activation System b. the Head office
2-
3. Channelware server
c. the product
3-
4. Channelware
d. the connection with customers
4-
3.5 Answer the questions Now, answer the following questions to make sure that you understand the essential information from the text. 1. H ow is it possible for a company to make profits when it gives its product away instead of selling it? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2. What does the “electronic key” consist of? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3. How does Channelware make a profit in this new type of distribution? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
4. How does the server know that it is connected to a computer that already has a contract? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
5. A ccording to what is said in the text, do you think that this technology will hold (se maintiendra) in the future? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Use the self-correction booklet if you need some help and to check your answers.
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Document
0
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CD-Roms and software packages
Section 3
Maptech National Park Digital Guides: oral section This is the second advertisement in your course, and could be an example of a document given at the oral part of your exam. To help you study this document the essential vocabulary will be either translated or explained.
1. Useful Grammar 1.1 The particle "up" Notice the use of the particle "up" – the ups and downs of… – and up come maps – for close-ups ( US : closeups) As you know, “up” means: towards the top. It can also have lots of other meanings, sometimes very abstract ones. Usually, the particle is much more important to understand the meaning of the sentence than the noun or the verb it follows. Here are some of its meanings: • To the north: We’ll drive up to Paris. (Nous irons à Paris (dans le nord pour de nombreux français).) • Towards an important point: He walked up to me. (Il s’approcha de moi.) • Until the end: Eat up your soup! (Finis ta soupe !)
1.2 Translation of "up" Choose the right translation for each phrase from the document: • Know all the ups and downs of the National Park: – Connaitre le Parc National de haut en bas ? – Connaitre les points positifs et négatifs du Parc National ? • and up come maps: – et voilà qu’apparaissent des cartes. – et des cartes montent. • for closeups: – pour des plans rapprochés. – pour des plans fixes.
2. Useful computer vocabulary to pop in = to put in: mettre to point and click (the mouse): utiliser la souris to print out: imprimer customized = made to measure: personnalisé(e) a demo = short for demonstration: une démonstration
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Unit 3
3. Hands On ! You will find a correction of the following exercises recorded on your CD. They have been recorded to help you, so listen to them after you have done the exercises and compare the recordings with what you have produced, or use the CD if you get stuck.
3.1 Pronunciation: Stress (accentuation de mots) When a word has more than two syllables, it is sometimes a little difficult to know where the stress has to be put, particularly when the word looks like a French one. We will notice that most words are stressed according to their endings. Here are a few solutions to help you train and pronounce some words whether (que ce soit) in the document or elsewhere (ailleurs). For example, • words finishing in “tion”: the stress is on the syllable before the last one: – a ttrac tion – e dition – nav i gation – el e vation • idem for words in “ic”: – e lec tron ic
– top o graph ic
• words in “al”: the stress is 2 syllables before the last one: – nation al – geo log ic al – dig it al Now, why not add other words to this list, when you meet some with the same endings ?
3.2 How to introduce the document
This is the first and consequently the most important part of the oral exam. Gather all the necessary elements to introduce it, then note them down. Now, you can make up a short oral paragraph and record yourself. You should speak for approximately one minute. Here are the elements you need: – Type of document – Origin and date (if possible) – Composition: - pictures (type: photo; drawing; graph; etc./ number / location on the page) - text (length / type / location /etc.) – Catchphrase – Slogan; logo; brand name – Conclusion: product advertised
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Remember: You should record yourself. When you are finished compare your recording with the self-correction on your CD.
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3.3 How to describe the visual elements of the document The second step is to describe the document, and insist on whatever points seem important to you. Start with the image when there is one. For the present document "Maptech…", answer the following questions. This will lead you through the description. – How many images are there and where are they situated in the document? – What can you see on the screen of the laptop? – What is the link between the CD-ROM at the foot of the laptop, the picture on the screen, and the product advertised? – What does the photo on the left hand side show? – What can you see on the right hand side of the document? Now, record a new oral paragraph. Speak for approximately two minutes.
D
Remember: When you are finished, compare your answer to the self-correction on your CD.
14
3.4 How to describe the text of the document
Look at the sentences. – are they long or short? – are they full of difficult words or rather easy to understand? – why ? Look at the vocabulary and show that a feeling of “easiness” is conveyed by several key words. What can you find in this software? Make a list and comment on the elements found in the guide. What can people do with this guide? Pick out a number of verbs to show that it is a complete and varied device (outil).
D
Again, make up an oral paragraph and record yourself before comparing it to the selfcorrection. Speak for approximately 2 minutes. You will find the correction for this exercice on track 15 on your CD.
15
3.5 What to do with the coupon Of course, you cannot pretend it is not there. Say what its use is. Say what people must do to get the information. This will be a good opportunity to read figures aloud. Record on your answers.
D
Remember: It is better to record your answers then listen to the model answer on your CD.
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Unit 3
G
Section 4
Rephrasing and quotations
Une partie de l’examen écrit consiste à rédiger en anglais : – soit : un message de type professionnel ; – soit : des réponses à des questions posées sur le texte. Dans ce deuxième cas, il ne faut pas tomber dans le piège de la facilité qui consisterait à réécrire des morceaux du texte qui correspondent à la question posée. L’ examen étant le moment où on juge vos connaissances, il faut les mettre en valeur le mieux possible et tout faire pour montrer tout ce que l’on sait. Il faut donc répondre aux questions posées en reformulant le texte, de façon à prouver : – qu’on l’a bien compris ; – qu’on peut l’expliquer avec ses propres mots, et donc que l’on maîtrise la langue.
1. An example of rephrasing Dans le document : “Software in your cereal” on pouvait lire : “The company is also running pilots with large toy companies and is in talks with major magazine publishers and sports entertainment companies.” Si on vous pose la question : What makes you think that this technology has a bright future? Il ne faut pas répondre par ce passage entier du texte, ce qui ne montrerait pas que vous le maîtrisez vraiment, mais par une reformulation, accompagnée éventuellement d’une courte citation qui vient appuyer votre réponse. Par exemple : I think that this technology has a bright future because we can read in the text that Channelware has lots of contacts with various companies: “toy companies, magazine publishers, sports entertainment companies” and is even testing new games: “pilots” as they call them.
2. Another example Toujours dans le même document, on peut lire : “When a potential customer loads the CD-ROM in a computer, the software automatically connects to a Channelware server site, which presents the user with options such as renting the software for a few hours, renting it for the weekend, or buying the software.” à la question : What happens when a customer loads the CD-ROM in a computer? Il ne faudrait surtout pas citer ce passage in extenso, mais en reformuler l’idée essentielle, à savoir : When a customer loads the CD-ROM in his (or her) computer, Channelware server is contacted and offers him or her the possibility of buying the software or renting it for a given period. If the customer accepts, his computer will get an “electronic key” via the Web that will enable it to run the application. 54
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B
Section 5
FreeSpeech
Document PC MAGAZINE - January 1
To help you study this document the essential vocabulary will be either translated or explained.
1. Useful vocabulary 1.1 Text vocabulary §1 a clutch of: une couvée ; (ici) une série
§5 mid-range: moyen
§2 §6 speaker enrolment process: procédé de on the sparse side: clairsemé reconnaissance du locuteur. whereupon: après quoi to get away with: s’en tirer avec… §7 §4 paucity: pauvreté / manque de to bundle: (ici) vendre ensemble terse: laconique
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1.2 The verb "to speak" and its family to speak: parler spoken (past participle): parlé way of speaking: la façon de parler a speaker: un locuteur the speech: le discours / l’élocution You will notice that all these words can be found in the text.
1.3 Useful computer vocabulary With the help of your experience (and a dictionary) associate the following words or expressions with their translations. 1. testbed
•
• a. couper coller
2. high specification
•
• b. naviguer dans…
3. command mode
•
• c. banc d’essai
4. to navigate
•
• d. appareil à main
5. to cut and paste
•
• e. grande technicité
6. a hand-held device
•
• f. mode de commande
7. a trackball driven pointer
•
• g. boule de commande
2. Hands on! A part of the written exam may consist of the translation of a part of, or the whole text. When translating, you may be confronted by a difficulty, which lies in long nominal groups. Indeed, you have to be careful about the construction of such groups and remember the following rules: – As it is the essential element in a sentence, always look for the verb, which will allow you to understand how the sentence is built; – Never forget that, in a nominal group, the most important word is the noun, and is usually situated at the end of the group; – Start your translation with the noun, and go backwards from the end to the beginning of the group; – A comma (virgule) may not be the end of the group, it may only be the normal punctuation in an enumeration. Example: Judge Garzon’s decision to extradite Pinochet might have started a long, complicated legal debate. Translation : La décision du Juge Garzon d’extrader Pinochet pourrait avoir déclenché un débat long et compliqué. Remarque : La compréhension du premier groupe est facilitée par la présence d’un cas possessif, alors que le deuxième est coupé par une virgule qui pourrait entraîner une erreur de compréhension.
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2.1 Translation of nominal groups Pay attention to the words in bold type (caractères gras) and translate the following sentences: 1. Many Latin American politicians, military and police will think twice before committing such crimes. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2. For almost a decade, international oilmen, diplomats and world leaders have described the energy-rich Caspian Sea area in hyperbolic terms – it was the 1990’s El Dorado. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3. T his notebook is the first to offer a cordless, removable infrared keyboard with integrated touchpad. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2.2 Translation of nominal groups from the text Now, find the following phrases in the text, and translate them. §1 FreeSpeech 98 is the latest speech recognition program available for English speakers. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
§2 Its speaker enrolment process lets you get away with about 15 minutes’ dictation. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
§3 It doesn’t require a host PC with an unrealistically high specification. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
§3 The program responded in an acceptable way on our testbed 266 MHz Pentium II. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
§4 T his hand-held device combines a microphone, speaker, trackball-driven pointer and mouse buttons. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
§6 T he sound files are added to FreeSpeech’s pool of associations between words and your speech samples. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Use the self-correction booklet if you need some help and to check your answers.
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Unit 4
PCs and telecommunication Contents
Section 1: Vocabulary revision..................... 60
Section 4: Business letters............................ 71
1. Verbs to communicate on the phone
1. A commented example
2. Telephone vocabulary
2. What to say in a fax
3. Useful grammar: wishes and conditions 3.1 Translation exercise
Section 2: The Techie Dream........................ 63 1. Useful Vocabulary 2. Useful grammar 2.1 Prefixes and suffixes: a little theory 2.2 Translation of compound words 3. Hands on!
Section 5: Bank to the Future...................... 74 1. Accountancy (comptabilité) vocabulary 2. Phrasal verbs 2.1 Exercise 3. Useful vocabulary 4. Hands on! 4.1 Questions to understand the text 4.2 Choose the right rephrasing
3.1 Translation of long nominal groups
4.3 Your turn to make a “compte-rendu”
3.2 From paragraph to summary in French
4.4 Choose the right translation
3.3 M ake sure you have a clear idea of a paragraph before summing it up in French
4.5 Your turn to translate
3.4 Sum up the whole paragraph in French
Section 3: N era Telecommunications: oral section.......................................... 67 1. Useful grammar 1.1 Exercise 2. Useful vocabulary 3. Hands on! 3.1 Revisions of comparatives and superlatives 3.2 Introducing the document 3.3 Answer questions about the document 4. Useful phrases Now, why not record yourself?
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Unit 4
In this fourth unit, the theme studied is: PCs and Telecommunication, so you will have the opportunity to learn some specific vocabulary about telecommunication and telephone technology. You will also be given some specific accountancy vocabulary, in section 5. Several important grammar items will be studied: • wishes and conditions with some basic theory and an exercise, in section 1; • prefixes and suffixes and how they can help us understand a compound word, in section 2; • the particle "to", its various meanings and how to translate them in section 3; • some phrasal verbs, the meaning of their particles, and how to translate them, in section 5. In order to improve your methodology for the oral examination, we will mainly concentrate on: • how to talk about the essential points of a document together with exercises to practice these skills, in section 3; • how to talk with the examiner about one’s own professional experience. As far as the written exam is concerned, the main points will be: • how to write a business letter, in section 4; • how to rephrase and sum up a text in order to create a “compte rendu” and how to translate, in section 5.
B
Section 1
Vocabulary revision
1. Verbs to communicate on the phone Here is a list of verbs describing actions in relation to telephoning. Try to associate each of them with their English equivalent. Be careful, there is one too many. se connecter / appeler / rappeler / raccrocher / attendre / passer (un correspondant) / transférer / composer (un numéro) / contacter (un correspondant) 1. to dial................................................................................................................ 5. to connect.................................................................................................................................... 2. to hold on. ................................................................................................. 6. to call. .................................................................................................................................................. 3. to hang up. ............................................................................................... 7. to put somebody through................................................................................. 4. to transfer.................................................................................................. 8. to call back..................................................................................................................................
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2. Telephone vocabulary Can you put together the following words and their translations? Use arrows to join them. You will notice that some of these words are better known in their English version than their French counterparts (homologues). 1. un signaleur d’appel
•
• a. a cordless phone
2. les touches
•
• b. a switchboard
3. un vibreur sonore
•
• c. a handset
4. un portable
•
• d. a cell phone
5. un combiné
•
• e. the dial pad
6. un téléphone sans fil
•
• f. a buzzer
7. un standard téléphonique
•
• g. a pager
3. Useful grammar: wishes and conditions Often, we have to phone to make a request, so we need expressions using “if ”. Let’s revise the various tenses that go with it. • If I call again to ask the same question, I will sound silly! - IF + present ➔ future (will + Base Verbale) • If we had a laptop, we would not need to carry those bulky (encombrant) devices. - IF + preterite ➔ present conditional (would + Participe Passé) • If he had bought a cell phone sooner, he would not have lost this customer. - IF + pluperfect ➔ past conditional (would + have + Participe Passé)
3.1 Translation exercise 1. Si nous avions envoyé une telle facture à un de nos clients, il aurait sûrement réagi ! 2. Vous pourriez passer plus de temps à concevoir des logiciels si vous engagiez deux secrétaires de plus. 3. Si le patron était là, il vous dirait comment résoudre ce problème. 4. Si vous n’aviez pas été malade depuis un mois, je vous aurais confié (to entrust) ce délicat (tricky) dossier. 5. Si vous réussissez à faire cet exercice sans erreur, votre professeur sera fier de vous !
Use the self-correction booklet if you need some help and to check your answers.
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Document Newsweek - 1 October 1
2
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PCs and telecommunication
M
Section 2
The Techie Dream
To help you study this document the essential vocabulary will be either translated or explained.
1. Useful Vocabulary §1 on call: (ici) en visite §2 a “techie” = a “gadgethead”: un fan de gadgets électroniques (Les deux premiers mots sont familiers) to blend = to mix seamlessly: de façon homogène fodder: matière §3 brethren: confrères an ounce ≈ 28 grams §4 a device = an appliance ≈ a gadget: un appareil électronique to be phased out = to become obsolete: être dépassé §6 a computer geek: un fan de gadgets électroniques (synonyme de “gadgethead”).
2. Useful grammar When confronted with a word you are not sure you understand, it is often very useful to observe its structure, in order to infer its meaning.
2.1 Prefixes and suffixes: a little theory Let’s look at some words from this document: 1.wireless = w ire + less: wire = cord: fil less = without: sans (suffix) ➞ wireless: without a cord, portable. Sans fil, portable. 2. outlandish = o ut + land + ish: land = country: pays out: hors de (prefix) ish: transforme le mot en adjectif (suffix) ➞ outlandish: not from this country, strange, exotic. Étrange, bizarre.
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Unit 4
2.2 Translation of compound words Give an explanation for each part of these compound words and translate them : handheld : ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
gadgethead : ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
smartphone : ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3. Hands on! 3.1 Translation of long nominal groups Let’s repeat an exercise of translation of long nominal groups; Find the following sentences in the text (§1) and translate them after paying special attention to the nominal groups. On the right side of his belt he’s got a pager and a cell phone; on the left side, a personal digital assistant that stores his appointments, contacts and e-mail. Add to that an ID card that opens office doors, a Timex Data Link watch and the NEC 4080 laptop computer that he takes on customer calls. Remember: At the exam, a summary should be about 1/4 (a quarter) of the original text.
3.2 From paragraph to summary in French The written exam is mostly an exercise in rephrasing and transcribing from English to French. Here is an exercise to help you learn how to deal with these two aspects at the same time. A. Find the key phrases in paragraph 2 : - (beginning of the §) : ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - (end of the §) :............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... B. Find the key words in paragraph 2 : - 2 words repeated 3 times : ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... - 1 word repeated twice : ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... C. T o sum up this paragraph, write one or two sentences in French using the translations of the words you have just found in B and conveying the main ideas found in A. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
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3.3 Make sure you have a clear idea of a paragraph before summing it up in French Let’s take the example of paragraph 5: Answer the questions : – What is “Jupiter” ?................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ – What does G. Purdy think?................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ – What technology will become indispensable?. .............................................................................................................................................................
3.4 Sum up the whole paragraph in French As the paragraph is composed of about 130 words, your summary needs to be about 35 words long. ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Use the self-correction booklet if you need some help and to check your answers.
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Document Newsweek - 1
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PCs and telecommunication
Section 3
Nera Telecommunications: oral section Here is the last advertisement in your course. We are going to use it as an example of a document given at the oral part of your exam and we will concentrate on the last step of the exam which is how to express oneself. Often, a theme is proposed by the examiner. It is either in relation to the document or about your professional experience. To help you study this document the essential vocabulary will be either translated or explained.
1. Useful grammar A preposition has to be clearly understood to be sure of the message conveyed (délivré) by a sentence. Always keep in mind the importance of prepositions in English, and the use of “to” in particular. Here, we can see two verbs followed by “to”: – to be tuned to – to connect to These two “to” have the same meaning : in the direction of… “to” is also the opposite of "from", which means the origin of something. Example: The phrase to call from … gives the origin of the call.
1.1 Exercise Translate the following sentences, but be careful not to be ambiguous. • I’d like you to read this letter from our supplier. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
• You’ll have to pay for this with money from your savings bank account. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
• Now, we must find a new way of sending data to the main computer. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
• You are allowed to download data from the public domain to your PC, free of charge. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2. Useful vocabulary call forwarding: réacheminement des appels spot beam: faisceau étroit a lid: un couvercle a bleeper = a sound signal: un bip (usually : a pager : un bip) the mains = the power = the electricity car lighter = (in a car): allume-cigare a socket: une prise (in a wall); une douille (for a bulb) rugged: ici : robuste
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Unit 4
3. Hands on! 3.1 Revisions of comparatives and superlatives In order to revise your essentials, pick out the comparative and superlative forms in the document, and translate them together with the nouns they define : ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
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......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
3.2 Introducing the document As this is one of your last opportunities to train for the exam, you should try to: – Introduce the document "Nera Telecommunication". – Describe its various components. Do this without any help, except your course book: Unit 3, Section 3, exercises 3.2, 3.3, 3.4. Naturally, don’t forget to record yourself! You don’t have to if you don’t feel like it, but it is good practice for the exam. ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
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D
Once you have finished compare your recording with the model answer on your CD.
17
3.3 Answer questions about the document
D 18
68
In order to have a deeper understanding of the text listen to the questions on your CD. Record your answers.
8 A110 TG PA 00
PCs and telecommunication
vocabulary
turn out = assertion = rather =
D 19
s'avérer affirmation préféreriez
Check your answers with the self-correction booklet and compare your recording with the model answer on your CD.
4. Useful phrases The last minutes of the exam are expected to deal with something more personal to the candidate, like his or her opinion about a topic in relation with the document or about his or her professional experience. Language help Here are some phrases that you could study and adapt to your own professional experience. J’ai effectué mon stage en (mois) ... entre (dates) ... à (lieu) I had my training period in ... , between ..., at ... J’ai eu un emploi de ... , chez.. (nom entreprise), entre... et..... (dates). I had a job as a..., with... from.... to.... . J’ai travaillé dans le service de… dans … (nom de l’entreprise) I worked in the … department of... Mon projet / emploi consistait à ... My project / job was to .... I was given a project consisting of ... +V+ing J’ai travaillé sous … (langage ordinateur) I worked in ...(DOS ...UNIX ...etc) J’ai apprécié.... aimé.... I enjoyed V+ing ... (something, doing something) I liked ... +V+ing L’ambiance était ... amicale ... sérieuse ... tendue ... The atmosphere was ... friendly ... business-like ... tense ... Les points positifs....les points négatifs....le bon côté... The positive points...the negative aspects ...the good side... What I liked was … à l’avenir, j’aimerais pouvoir ... In the future, / as far as the future is concerned, / I would like to - develop my … - get more experience in … - improve my …
Now, why not record yourself? Take about 2 minutes to do this. There is no correction for this exercise.
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Document Newsweek - 1 th October 1
PIG & C°
(1)
Larsengade Copenhagen DK 10 DENMARK
(2)
TASCO Ltd 12 Royal Parade Plymouth PL1 2PS ENGLAND
(3)
15 Jun. 04
(4)
Dear Sir,
(5)
We thank you for your order dated May 12th and we are pleased to inform you that the bacon will be delivered on May 19th. (6) Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide the ham (ref:123) before the end of the month due to a strike in our slaughterhouse. As far as the discount you asked for is concerned, we regret not to be able to satisfy your demand. Our current discount rate is 5% for payment on invoice or 2% for settlement within 10 days, as you will see on the documentation provided. We look forward to doing business with you in the near future.
(7)
Yours faithfully,
(8) (9)
Thomas Sammel
(10)
Sales department.
(11)
Enc : 1 documentation
(12)
0
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G
Section 4
Business letters
P armi les différents exercices qui peuvent être demandés à l’examen, sont apparus récemment les exercices de communication professionnelle. Parmi les plus délicats à exécuter, la lettre de type “business” est surement celui qui doit retenir votre attention, en raison d’un grand nombre de conventions qui s’y rattachent.
1. A commented example Voici un modèle commenté qui vous fournira les connaissances de base. Vous travaillez comme secrétaire au service des ventes (sales department) de la firme PIG & Co. située dans Larsengade, au n° 456 à Copenhague (Copenhagen), code postal DK 1570 au Danemark (Denmark). Cette entreprise fabrique et vend de la charcuterie (cooked pork meat : sausages, bacon, ham, etc.). Vous écrivez une lettre en réponse à la commande (order) d’un supermarché : TASCO Ltd, situé 12 Royal Parade à Plymouth, Angleterre, code postal PL1 2PS. Vous ne pouvez donner satisfaction à toutes leurs requêtes : 1. Le jambon manque en ce moment : précisez le délai. 2. La ristourne (discount) de 15% qu’ils demandent pour paiement à la réception de la facture (for payment on invoice) est trop élevée ; faites une autre proposition. Vous trouverez ci-dessous des commentaires destinés à attirer votre attention sur les points à savoir pour pouvoir produire une lettre commerciale en anglais. (1) Adresse de l’envoyeur sans le nom (sauf si la lettre est faite sur du papier à entête) (2) Nom du pays si la lettre change de pays, sinon c’est inutile (3) Nom du destinataire : entreprise ou personne (suivi de la position de cette personne dans l’entreprise si on la connaît) (4) La présentation la plus simple : “fully blocked” : Tout est aligné sur la marge de gauche. Cette présentation est recommandée pour sa simplicité ! (5) Il faut toujours commencer une “opening salutation” par : “Dear” sinon vous donnez l’impression d’être très en colère ! “Dear” sera suivi du nom de la personne si on le connaît : Dear Mr. Brown. (6) Comme en français, chaque paragraphe est suivi d’un saut de ligne. On ne développe qu’une idée par paragraphe. (7) Il est mieux de finir par une formule conventionnelle du type : “We look forward to your answer / to doing business with you / to hearing from you soon”. Il vaut mieux, dans cette partie de la lettre, ne pas chercher à faire preuve d’originalité ! (8) La “closing salutation “est liée à celle du début. • Si on connaît le nom du destinataire, on commence la lettre par “Dear Mr. Brown” par exemple, et on la finit obligatoirement par “Yours sincerely”. • Si on ne connaît pas le nom du destinataire on commence la lettre par “Dear Sir / Madam” et on finit automatiquement par “Yours faithfully”. (9) Emplacement suffisant pour la signature. Attention : à l’examen ; on ne signe jamais de son nom, l’épreuve doit rester anonyme ! (10) Nom du signataire dans l’ordre suivant : prénom puis nom. (11) On peut indiquer la position du signataire dans l’entreprise.
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(12) Enc : enclosure : pièce jointe On peut indiquer la nature de la ou des pièces jointes ou seulement leur nombre.
2. What to say in a fax On pourrait également vous demander d’écrire un fax ou une circulaire, qui ne nécessitent pas de conventions particulières et où seuls la logique, le bon sens et la clarté du message doivent vous guider. N’oubliez jamais de commencer ce type de message en annonçant clairement l’origine du message : par votre nom ou celui de votre service par exemple ; et le (les) destinataire. Soyez logique dans votre énoncé, surtout s’il doit comporter plusieurs points.
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