職場英語:道歉類郵件的寫作關(guān)鍵

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職場英語:道歉類郵件的寫作關(guān)鍵
    工作或生活中,我們經(jīng)常會遇到突然有事要找同事或朋友幫忙,但是他們卻碰巧有事,無法提供幫助,甚至根本聯(lián)系不到。當(dāng)然,也有可能正好相反,你的同事或朋友找你有事,你卻因為種種原因“辜負(fù)”了他們的期望。這時,一份“遲來的道歉”就必不可少了。
    此類信件的寫法也比較有規(guī)律,一般開頭段就要開門見山地表達(dá)歉意。第二段具體說明自己沒能及時提供幫助的原因,也可以適當(dāng)?shù)卦儐枌Ψ降膯栴}怎么樣了,以及自己現(xiàn)在還能做什么等。第三段則是再次道歉,以示真誠。
    下面有兩封信,第一封是John寫給他的同事Marianne的求助信,主要是詢問她有沒有讀過關(guān)于臺灣和中國內(nèi)地文化差異的文獻(xiàn)或相關(guān)作品等,他做演講時需要。但是Marianne卻由于私事沒能及時回信,因此她事后特地寫了一封道歉信,也就是后文的第二封信。信中,Marianne多次進(jìn)行了真誠的道歉,并解釋了原因——她的女兒生病了,需要照顧。加之本已繁忙的工作, Marianne就難有閑暇了。
    1. reach sb. by phone:通過電話聯(lián)系某人,即打電話給某人。這個表達(dá)比call sb.正式。
    2. literature :指的是某一科目的文獻(xiàn)資料,不能理解為“文學(xué)”。
    3. do a short presentation:做一次簡短的演講。其實(shí)presentation的精確含義和“演講”還是有區(qū)別的,尤指那種一邊放PPT(幻燈片) 一邊給一群人講解一個主題或一個項目等。
    (1) Email from John Gu to Marianne
    Dear Marianne,
    How have you been? I was trying to reach you by phone1) earlier today but you were not home.
    A quick question for you: have you en coun tered any literature2)/writing on differences, cul tur al or otherwise, between Taiwan and Main land China that you can share with me or refer me to?
    I am going to our head office in Arizona next week and I will be asked to do a short presentation3) on the topic.
    John Gu
    (2) Email Response from Marianne to John Gu
    Dear John,
    I am so sorry that I did not respond to your email or voice mail regarding this request. I did not know any immediate resources, but I had every intention of4) contacting you and brainstorming5) with you.
    Courtney, my daughter, was sick and I have taken on6) a bit too much between work and the children's holiday activities. I am so sorry that I just did not respond to you.
    I hope your presentation in Arizona went well. Let me know when you have a free moment how the trip went.
    Sorry again for my ?FONT COLOR="#02a0c6">dropping the ball7)?— especially for someone who is always right there to help me out!
    Warmest Regards,
    Marianne
    4. have an intention of doing sth.:有做某事的念頭,就是愿意做某事的意思。句中加every修飾表示強(qiáng)調(diào),即非常愿意。
    5. brainstorm:這個詞前兩年在中國很流行,直譯為“頭腦風(fēng)暴”,很形象。句中作動詞用,意思就是想辦法、思考、討論等。
    6. take on:字面意思就是把某物拿起來,引申為承擔(dān),后接a bit too much表示承擔(dān)了過多的事情,背負(fù)了過重的責(zé)任等。
    7. drop the ball:很形象的表達(dá),比賽中對方打過來一個球,而你沒有接住,文中 Marianne借此表達(dá)自己沒有幫到John的忙。