13. Making a Telephone Call (1)
The telephone system in the United States, as in many other countries, has a special number for each region of the country. It is called an “area code.” If you know the area code and the phone number, it’s usually cheaper to dial the number yourself. Of course, you must go through an operator to make person-to-person or collect calls. You can dial direct to many countries overseas or you can ask for the overseas operator.
13. 打 电 话(1)
和许多其他国家一样,美国的电话系统规定每个地区都有一个专门的号码,叫做“电话分区号码”。如果你知道电话分区号码,你可以自己拨电话。这样做通常比较经济。当然,如果你要打叫人电话或由对方付款的电话,则必须通过接线员。你可以直接拨号与海外很多国家通话,也可以找国际长途台的接线员转接。
1
A: Operator. 接线员。 B: I’d like to make a collect call to Los Angeles. That’s area code 213-486- 2435 我想打个电话到洛杉矶,由对方付款。电话号码是213-486-2435。 A: And what’s the name of the person you want to speak to? 你要通话的人叫什么名字? B: Susan Greene. 苏珊格林。
2 A: Operator. 接线员。 B: Yes, Operator. I’d like to place a person-to-person call to Chicago. The number is 932-8647, but I don’t know the area code. 喂,接线员,我想挂个叫人电话到芝加哥,电话号码是932-8647,但我不知道电话分区号码。 A: Who do you want to speak to? 你要和谁通话? B: I’ll speak to anyone at extension 214. 214分机的谁都行。
3 A: Operator。接线员。 B: I want to make a person-person call to 212-836-1725. 我要挂个叫人电话,号码是212-836-1725。 A: And the name of the person you’re calling, please? 请问你要通话的人叫什么名字? B: Ed Cooper. That’s C double O-P-E-R. 埃德库柏。就是C-双O-P-E-R.
4 A: Operator. 接线员。 B: Operator, I’d like to place a call to Winnipeg, Canada. The number is 932-0806. 接线员,我想打个电话到加拿大温尼泊。电话号码是932-0806。 A: What’s the name of the party you’re calling? 你要打电话的对方叫什么名字? B: I’m not sure of the name, but the extension is 211. 叫什么名字不太清楚,只知道电话分机是211。