● 表达质疑
1. I'm not sure what you're saying has any relevance1 here.
2. I'm not sure if what you're saying has anything to do with our problem.
3. I'm not sure if what you're saying really matters in this case.
4. I'm not sure if what you're saying is relevant to our problem.
Relevance 是"关联;适切",词组用法为"have relevance to..."(与…有关)。这句话适用于正式场合,表示对方所言与议题并无关系。开头语由于是 I'm not sure 而不是 I don't think,因此可避免直接对峙的场面。不过这句话易造成不是对就是错的局面,因此如果对方辩得有理,自己会有全盘皆输的危险。
● 暂不回答
1. I can't really recall; I'll have to get back to you on that.
2. I can't quite remember; I'll need to do a little checking and get back to you.
3. I can't fully2 remember; I'll have to check up on it.
4. I can't recall all the facts; I'll have to get back to you.
Recall 是"想起";get back to someone on something 的意思是"下次再和某人谈某事"。这个句型适用于想避而不答、以免不慎的回答落人口实之时。它能让对方不再把矛头指向你,使你有机会脱身,找时间准备数据。
● 询问意见
1. Would anyone like to add anything to (what I've said)?
2. Would anyone care to comment?
3. Would anyone like to give their ideas on this?
4. Would anyone care to add their thoughts (to the discussion)?
这类句型是请他人发表意见,来补充自己的看法。由于用的是 add(补充)而非 comment(批评),暗示请发言者站在自己的角度,再作补充,而非给予大家较大的空间,任由批评。这也是add一词所藏的玄机。
● More 邀请发表意见
在会议桌上,身为主持会议者,通常都需要主动且积极地征询各路英雄的想法及提案;在集思广益下决定出最适当的方案。
适合对个人的邀请
What are your views on...?
What are your feelings about...?
What are your feelings on this?
What do you think about...?
What's your opinion about that?
适合对全体的邀请
Any reaction to that?
Has anybody any strong feelings about/ views on that?
What's the general view on/ feeling about that?
Has anybody any comments to make?
重点提示
A. 座前有桌子时,把手放在桌下是不礼貌的。
小时候长辈教训的"站有站相,坐有坐相",不无道理。挺胸而坐不但有精神,也是尊重他人的表现。瘫坐在椅子上,会让对方觉得不正式、缺乏诚意,甚至不尊重。如果您是坐在桌前,就将手肘轻放在桌上,让人看到,以表示无所隐藏;此时,手掌可交握,或手指相碰,不慌不乱,这种姿态代表专注与尊重。
B. 说话时,不自觉地摸鼻子,表示对对方有所保留,不愿坦诚。
如果对方有摸鼻子的习惯,或不经意地触摸脸部,从潜意识的观点来看,这表示对方正筑一道墙,隐藏真心,不赞同你的意见。而搔头,除了表示头皮痒,还有不懂的含意。此时,不妨轻描淡写地把话再说一次,避免直接问对方是否不懂。
C. 如何利用姿势强调说话的语气?
过去生意人所采取最强势的身体姿态,即是将双手搁在腰际,一副随时要拔枪的样子;除此之外,双腿还要分立,相隔一尺半。不过时代变了,现在所强调的是合作与协调,新的强势姿势是用手握住另一只手,将手靠在身体一侧,这表示坦诚、弹性。此外,利用姿势可以强调说话的语气,如双腿分立,右脚微微向前,强调重点时前倾;而放松时则可后倾将重心放在左脚。
改编自:《国际商务英语教程》上海理工大学通讯员何旖文供稿