1) My wife and I can't come to the phone right now, but if you'll leave your name and number, we'll get back to you as soon as we're finished.
2) Hi, This is John. If you are the phone company, I've already sent the money. If you are my parents, please send money. If you are my financial aid institution, you didn't lend me enough money. If you are my friends, you owe me money. If you are a female, don't worry, I have plenty of money.
3) Hi, I'm not home right now but my answering machine is, so you can talk to it instead. Wait for the beep(beep:主人的Answer讲完以后,Answering Machine会发出一声beep, 这时候来电话者就可以开始留言了。)
4) Hi! John's answering machine is broken. This is his refrigerator. Please speak very slowly, and I丈l stick your message to myself with one of these magnets(磁铁).
5) Hello, this is Sally's microwave. Her answering machine just eloped(私奔) with her tape deck(磁带驱动器), so I'm stuck with taking her calls. Say, if you want anything cooked while you leave your message, just hold it up to the phone.
6) Hello, you are talking to a machine. I am capable of receiving messages. My owners do not need siding(墙板,壁板), windows, or a hot tub(浴盆), and their carpets are clean. They give to charity(慈善团体) through their office and do not need their picture taken. If you're still with me, leave your name and number and they will get back to you.
7) Hi, I am probably home. I'm just avoiding someone I don't like. Leave me a message, and if I don't call back, it's you.
8) This is not an answering machine—this is a telepathic(心灵感应的) thought-recording device. After the tone, think about your name, your reason for calling and a number where I can reach you and I'll think about returning your call.
9) Hi, this is George. I'm sorry I can't answer the phone right now. Leave a message, and then wait by your phone until I call you back.
10) If you are a burglar(夜贼), then we're probably at home cleaning our weapons right now and can't come to the phone. Otherwise, we probably aren't home and it's safe to leave us a message.
11) You're growing tired. Your eyelids(眼皮) are getting heavy. You feel very sleepy now. You are gradually losing your willpower(毅力) and your ability to resist suggestions. When you hear the tone you will feel helplessly compelled to (感到无助而被迫做某事) leave your name, number, and a message.
12) Please leave a message. However, you have the right to remain silent. Everything you say will be recorded and will be used by us.
【注:you have the right to remain silent:在电影电视里,警察出示逮捕令时常讲的一句话。西方社会讲究人权,任何疑犯在未审判之前不得认为有罪,因而不能逼供,更不可拷打:他们有权保持沉默。】
13) Hello, you're reached Jim and Sonya. We can't pick up the phone right now, because we're doing something we really enjoy. Sonya likes doing it up and down, and I like doing it left to right ... real slowly. So leave a message, and when we're done brushing our teeth, we侦l get back to you.
在这部分的最后,我送给大家一首我最喜欢的诗“Why I Love You”。我已经把英语当成一种美来欣赏,所以这里的“You”也可以指代英语,希望你也能跟我一样,可以充分地享受到它的美。当然,我们的中文更美,我们学好英语后,把我们最美的中文传遍全世界!同学们可以跟着我模仿,让你的嘴再动一次。Practice makes perfect!
Why I Love You
Every time I think about you,
I'm reminded of the reasons why I love you from the depth of my heart and soul.
And I wonder what I'd do without you,
without your healing smile,
your words of faith,
the caring and sensitive way you touch me,
lifting me just when I need it most.
Without you,
what would I have?
what would I be?
I can't imagine existing in a world where someone doesn't love me the way you do.
You're the only one who ever understood me and accepted me for who I am.