Читаем Ролевые игры. Английский язык полностью

Ролевые игры. Английский язык

Николай Зюзгин

Клубника – strawberries

Клюква – cranberries

Мандарины – tangerines

Чуть позже – a bit later

In British English:

– I’m Peter. What can I get you?

– Do you have any kind of fish?

– Sure, we do. Did you ask “Any kind of fish”? It’s probably simpler to say what kind of fish we don’t have here.

– Ah, I see, do you have cod?

– Of course. You didn’t even have to ask.

– You know, a friend of mine from San Antonio once treated me with some fried cod. He would take a large fish, cut it along the spine in two and fried those big pieces about twenty centimeters long. Do you think you could cook cod that way?

– Certainly, no problem. We can cook cod that way. What kind of garnish would you like with it, sir?

– Hmm, I’m not sure. French fries maybe? How your cook decides it would be nice.

– What about first course?

– For the first course… I don’t know either. What have you got?

– We’ve got very good fish solyanka with sturgeon and salmon.

– Ah, sounds good, I’ll go for that one, yes!

– A salad?

– Do you have Greek salad?

– Certainly.

– May I also have some Armenian brandy, fifty grams?

– OK, for dessert?

– I would really fancy a sponge-cake.

– I see. What kind of cake? Napoleon or a brownie? Or a cream puff?

– No, no. I would prefer a summer pudding with strawberry or cranberry. You’ve got summer pudding, haven’t you?

– Yes.

– And I would like a big cup of black tea with lemon.

– Any fruit?

– Let’s make it one big dark red colored apple. Aren’t they called Chinese or something like that? Oh yes, and four tangerines, please.

– Anything else?

– No, I think that will be enough, thanks.

– I’ll bring you the fruit and the salad now, but the other dishes will be ready a bit later.

– Thank you!

In American English:

– I’m Peter. So, what can I get for you?

– Might you happen to have any fish, per chance?

– Did you say “any kind of fish”? Why, of course we do! It would probably be simpler to say what kind of fish we don’t have here.

– Even cod?

– You must be joking! Why, of course we have cod! That goes without saying!

– You know, a friend of mine from San Antonio treated me to some fried cod not too long ago. He would often take a large fish, cut it along the spine into two 20 cm or so pieces each and then fry them. It was, so to speak, cod side, for lack of a better word. Could you, perhaps, prepare it that way?

– Certainly! That would be no problem at all! We also prepare cod that way as well. Which garnish would you like to accompany your cod and for your side dish as well, sir?

– I don’t know… hmmm… I suppose that any old garnish will do but for a side, I think that maybe French fries will suffice. Better yet, I’ll tell you what! Why don’t you surprise me and let your cook decide for us both instead.

– And for the first course, sir?

– For the first course… well, I don’t know. I suppose that I still need more time to consider it.

– Well, I can say that we just so happen to have very good solyanka with sturgeon and salmon.

– Yes! That sounds absolutely splendid! I think that I will have that then!

– A salad?

– Do you, by chance, have Greek salad?

– Of course! It happens to be one of our most sought after salads that we offer! Anything to drink?

– Armenian brandy, fifty grams.

– And, lastly, for dessert?

– Your fanciest cake! I mean, a sponge-cake.

– I understand. That is kind of a napoleon, is it not? Or perhaps a brownie or a cream puff, even? As of now, we only offer summer pudding with strawberry or cranberry.

– Do you have summer pudding available to order?

– No question.

– Great! And a large black tea with lemon, preferably in a mug.

– Would you like any fruit in addition to that?

– A large red apple, please. If I’m not mistaken, I believe that it’s called Chinese apple.

– OK, very well, sir! Will that be all?

– And four tangerines, please.

– Does that complete your order?

– Not yet!

– There’s more?! Very well, sir. Tell me what else you would like whenever you’re ready! Better yet, I’ll bring you your fruit and salad while you’re deciding on what else you would like and I can serve you the rest a bit later, if that works for you.

Commentaries:

that only goes without saying! – само собой разумеется

…for lack of a better word – другого слова не нахожу

better yet – а еще лучше…

no question – несомненно

if that works for you – если вы не против

Упражнения

1. Find the sentences in the text and read them in English aloud:

Мой друг из Сан-Антонио угощал меня жареной треской.

Проще сказать, какой рыбы нет у нас.

Я думаю, любой традиционный гарнир пойдет.

И четыре мандарина, пожалуйста.