19 - The open window
Language for explaining a misunderstanding
How do you explain if there's been a mix-up? Paul, the boss, leaves a message. He wants ideas for a new marketing strategy for their new laser-curved fruit range. Anna gets straight down to work but when Paul turns up, Tom gets all the credit. There's a big mix-up and it's time for Anna to learn some language that explains there has been a misunderstanding.
Intermediate · 161109 · 2016-11-09
How do you explain if there's been a mix-up? Paul, the boss, leaves a message. He wants ideas for a new marketing strategy for their new laser-curved fruit range. Anna gets straight down to work but when Paul turns up, Tom gets all the credit. There's a big mix-up and it's time for Anna to learn some language that explains there has been a misunderstanding. Language for explaining a misunderstanding This episode focuses on politely saying there has been a misunderstanding.
1. I think there's been a misunderstanding.
BBC UK: I think there's been a misunderstanding.
2. There's been a bit of a mix-up.
BBC UK: There's been a bit of a mix-up.
3. Let me explain what happened.
BBC UK: Let me explain what happened.
1. Narrator
Hello, it's a chilly start to the day at Tip Top Trading.
BBC UK: Hello, it's a chilly start to the day at Tip Top Trading.
2. Anna
Hi Denise!
BBC UK: Hi Denise!
3. Denise
Good morning Anna.
BBC UK: Good morning Anna.
4. Anna
Brrr... it's so cold in here.
BBC UK: Brrr... it's so cold in here.
5. Denise
The window was left open overnight.
BBC UK: The window was left open overnight.
6. Anna
My papers have been blown everywhere.
BBC UK: My papers have been blown everywhere.
7. Denise
Mine too! Tom was the last one here last night - it must've been him who left the window open.
BBC UK: Mine too! Tom was the last one here last night – it must've been him who left the window open.
8. Anna
Brrr.... Right then, to work! Oh, there's a note from Paul, it must've fallen off my desk: 'I would like your ideas on our stock management system for our new laser-curve fruit range, so we know we can keep up with demand. Please write me a couple of pages of suggestions and leave it on my desk. I'll be back this afternoon.' Wow! I have to come up with ideas for a stock management system! Gosh, where do I begin?!
BBC UK: Brrr.... Right then, to work! Oh, there's a note from Paul, it must've fallen off my desk: 'I would like your ideas on our stock management system for our new laser-curve fruit range, so we know we can keep up with demand. Please write me a couple of pages of suggestions and leave it on my desk. I'll be back this afternoon.' Wow! I have to come up with ideas for a stock management system! Gosh, where do I begin?!
9. Tom
Good morning.
BBC UK: Good morning.
10. Anna
Morning!
BBC UK: Morning!
11. Tom
Hey, my certificate for Plastic Pear Salesman of the Year is on the floor!
BBC UK: Hey, my certificate for Plastic Pear Salesman of the Year is on the floor!
12. Anna
Right... stock management systems... stock-up on your laser-curved lemons ... My first idea is to calculate the total....
BBC UK: Right... stock management systems... stock-up on your laser-curved lemons … My first idea is to calculate the total….
13. Narrator
Well, Anna has finished her report and left it on Paul's desk, but things aren't that simple. Er, Anna, there's going to be a problem.
BBC UK: Well, Anna has finished her report and left it on Paul's desk, but things aren't that simple. Er, Anna, there's going to be a problem.
14. Anna
Oh? A problem, bbbbut...
BBC UK: Oh? A problem, bbbbut…
15. Narrator
Let me teach you some phrases you might need to explain that there's been a mistake: I think there's been a misunderstanding.
BBC UK: Let me teach you some phrases you might need to explain that there's been a mistake: I think there's been a misunderstanding.
16. Or
There's been a bit of a mix-up.
BBC UK: There's been a bit of a mix-up.
17. Anna
But what misunderstanding? What mix-up?
BBC UK: But what misunderstanding? What mix-up?
18. Narrator
You could also use: Let me explain what happened...
BBC UK: You could also use: Let me explain what happened...
19. Paul
Ah, good afternoon everyone.
BBC UK: Ah, good afternoon everyone.
20. All
Hello.
BBC UK: Hello.
21. Paul
Tom, this is an excellent piece of work!
BBC UK: Tom, this is an excellent piece of work!
22. Tom
Sorry?
BBC UK: Sorry?
23. Paul
These are by far the best ideas you've ever had.
BBC UK: These are by far the best ideas you've ever had.
24. Tom
I don't understand. PaulOur stock management system!
BBC UK: I don't understand. PaulOur stock management system!
25. Tom
Can I see? ... Oh, that's not mine.
BBC UK: Can I see? … Oh, that's not mine.
26. Paul
Eh?
BBC UK: Eh?
27. Anna
I think there's been a misunderstanding. I did it. Paul & Tom You?
BBC UK: I think there's been a misunderstanding. I did it. Paul & Tom You?
28. Anna
I got your note Paul, here.
BBC UK: I got your note Paul, here.
29. Paul
No, no, that note was for Tom.
BBC UK: No, no, that note was for Tom.
30. Anna
Oh, then there's been a bit of a mix-up.
BBC UK: Oh, then there's been a bit of a mix-up.
31. Tom
Did you take that note from my desk?
BBC UK: Did you take that note from my desk?
32. Anna
No, no!
BBC UK: No, no!
33. Tom
I suppose you threw my pear salesman certificate on the floor at the same time too!
BBC UK: I suppose you threw my pear salesman certificate on the floor at the same time too!
34. Anna
I didn’t! Let me explain. The wind must have blown the note for Tom under my desk.
BBC UK: I didn’t! Let me explain. The wind must have blown the note for Tom under my desk.
35. Denise
Tom left the window open overnight. Our papers were blown all over the place.
BBC UK: Tom left the window open overnight. Our papers were blown all over the place.
36. Paul
I see, well, golly gosh. In that case, well done, Anna! Excellent work, even though you weren't meant to do it. And Tom, your ideas are still welcome of course. Thanks.
BBC UK: I see, well, golly gosh. In that case, well done, Anna! Excellent work, even though you weren't meant to do it. And Tom, your ideas are still welcome of course. Thanks.
37. Anna
Sorry Tom.
BBC UK: Sorry Tom.
38. Tom
What? Oh, I'm not bothered. I've still got some great ideas in my head anyway.
BBC UK: What? Oh, I'm not bothered. I've still got some great ideas in my head anyway.
39. Narrator
Yeah, right! Let's leave Tom to get on with his 'great ideas' and listen again those phrases Anna used to explain the misunderstanding: I think there's been a misunderstanding. There's been a bit of a mix-up. Let me explain what happened. Well, the mix-up gave Anna a chance to shine - Paul certainly seemed impressed with her work. Maybe it will bring her new opportunities. Until next time, bye!
BBC UK: Yeah, right! Let's leave Tom to get on with his 'great ideas' and listen again those phrases Anna used to explain the misunderstanding: I think there's been a misunderstanding. There's been a bit of a mix-up. Let me explain what happened. Well, the mix-up gave Anna a chance to shine – Paul certainly seemed impressed with her work. Maybe it will bring her new opportunities. Until next time, bye!
Question
Tom found one of his certificates on the floor. What was it for?
Answer
Plastic Pear Salesman of the Year