You want to go into business with a friend, and need to draw up legal papers for your partnership. You call a corporate lawyers office to seek professional help.

      A: Seraf, Hayes and Associates. May I help you?
      B: I'd like to make an appointment with Mr Boris Seraf.
      A: What's the nature of your appointment?
      B: We'd like to have him draw up our partnership papers.
      A: Fine, I can make an appointment for you and your partner to come in at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
      B: Do you think we can complete the document in one appointment?
      A:  I'll let you speak with Mr Seraf. Please hold the line and I'll transfer your call.

      你想與友人一起營商，需要擬一份合股的法律文件。你致電一位商務律師的辦事處尋求專業服務。

      甲:  沙能，希士與合伙人。有什麼可以為你效勞嗎？
      乙:  我想約一個時間見卜雷士‧沙能先生。
      甲:  你約見他是想商談什麼性質的事呢？
      乙: 我們想請他擬一份合伙文件。
      甲: 好的，我可以替你和你的合伙人約定星期三下午三時半到來。
      乙: 你知不知道我們能否在這次約會完成這份文件呢？
      甲: 我讓你與沙能先生談談。請等一等，我會替你搭線過去。'

      Language Notes 語文註解
      (1) Associates——合伙人。
      (2) May I help you?——有什麼可以為你做呢？另一句意思相同的用語是What can I do for you?
      (3) I'd like to (=I would like to)——意思上和I want to差不多，不過語氣比較客氣。
      (4) Make an appointment——約定時間見面。
      (5) Nature——這裏解性質。
      (6) Draw up——擬寫。
      (7) Patnership——合股。
      (8) Please hold the line (=Please hold)——(慣用語)請打電話的人稍候的用語。
      (9) Transfer your call——將電話線搭往另一個人處。

      本欄內容取材自 Survival English for New Canadians 新移民英語，《星島日報》唐人街辦事處有售。