美式英语口语顶尖高手

　　Susan想请自己的老板John Marchetta帮忙，为Grandpa找点事做。她叫来了自己的助手Sam“商量”这个主张是否可行。美式英语口语 练习：

　　Susan: Sam, would you come in, please?

　　Sam: You sound like something's bothering you, Susan. The sketches for the cover of the new doll book?

　　Susan: That's not it. Please sit down.

　　Sam: Sure.

　　Susan: I need your advice on a personal matter, but it's not about me.

　　Sam: You need my advice on a personal matter, and it's not about you. OK.

　　Susan: It's about my grandfather.

　　Sam: What's the problem?

　　Susan: It won't sound like a big deal, but it is. I had dinner with him Saturday, and he's very unhappy about not working.

　　Sam: I thought he was retired and pleased to be living with the family.

　　Susan: He is, but there's so much energy and talent in the man, and he doesn't get to use it.

　　Sam: But what can I do? What kind of advice are you looking for?

　　Susan: Simply this. John Marchetta runs this company.

　　Sam: He founded this company.

　　Susan: Right. John Marchetta gave me my start here six years ago, when I first graduated from college. He gave me the chance to use my talents and made me feel more confident.

　　Sam: Right. Maybe he can do the same thing for your grandfather.

　　Susan: Or at least give him some advice.

　　Sam: Right. Then I’ve solved you problem.

　　Susan: I can always depend on you, Sam.

　　Sam: I'm glad to help. Shall I call Mr. Marchetta for you?

　　Susan: No, no. I'll do that. Thanks.

　　【美式英语口语语言点精讲】

　　1. You sound like something's bothering you.

　　听起来仿佛有什么事使你心烦。这是一种关心别人，询问别人怎么了、是不是有麻烦了的说法。bother: 使烦恼，打扰。

　　2. I need your advice on a personal matter, but it's not about me.

　　我有一件私事需要听你的见解，可并不是对我自己的。Susan的话有些名义上的抵牾，这显然让Sam有点摸不着头脑，所以他说“You need my advice on a personal matter, and it's not about you.”这里Sam 重复了Susan的话。反复别人的话是确认对方用意的一种方式。

　　a personal matter: 个人的事件，私事。

　　3. It won't sound like a big deal, but it is.

　　听起来不像是一件重要的事件，可事实上是的。

　　sound like: 听起来似乎…

　　a big deal: 指的是something very important（很主要的事情）。

　　4. I had dinner with him Saturday, and he's very unhappy about not working.

　　我星期六跟他一起吃的晚饭，他由于不工作很不高兴。

　　I had dinner with him Saturday: 正式的说法应当在Saturday前面加上一个on。然而在美国英语中，这个on常被省略。

　　be unhappy about: 因为……而不高兴。

　　5. Simply this.

　　简单说就是这样的。

　　6. He gave me the chance to use my talents and made me feel more confident.

　　他给了我利用我的才华的机遇，使我更有信念。

　　give sb. the chance to do sth.: 给某人机会做某事。

　　made me feel more confident: 使我更有信心。 make sb. do sth.是make加不带to的不定式作宾补，其余类似的动词还有feel, let, see, watch, have等。

　　7. Then I’ve solved you problem.

　　那么说我已经解决了你的问题了。

　　solve the problem: 解决问题。这是个常用的搭配。

　　8. I can always depend on you.

　　我总是可能信赖你的。能够用这句话来感谢对方对自己的辅助，这里的“对方”应该是跟本人比较熟悉的人。

　　depend on: 依靠；信任。也可写作 “depend upon”。

　　9. Shall I call Mr. Marchetta for you?

　　要不要我给Mr. Marchetta打电话？

　　表示自动为某人做某事时，如果主语是I或we时，个别用shall，美式英语口语例如: “Shall I/we wait for you？”。主语是you时则用would，例如: “Would you like me to help you?”。