Ольга Азарова - Я Вам пишу... Деловые и личные письма по-английски и по-русски

barrister/solicitor – attorney/lawyer

bill – check

biscuits – cookies

caretaker – janitor

chemist – drug store

chips – French fries

the cinema – the movies

cooker/stove – stove

crisps – potato chips

crossroad/intersection – intersection

cupboard – closet

curtains – drapes/curtains

dual carriage way – divided highway

drawing pin – thumb tack

dustbin/rubbish bin – garbage/ trash can

dustman – garbage collector

engine motor

film – movie

flyover – overpass

flat – apartment

graduate – alumnus

gear/ gear level – gear/stick shift

ground floor – first floor

handbag – purse

hoarding – billboard

jug – pitcher

lift – elevator

lorry – truck

mad – crazy

main road – highway

maize – corn

maths – math

motorway freeway/ – expressway

nappy – diaper

noplace – nowhere

note (money) – bill

off-licence – liquor store

optician/ oculist – optometrist

pants/ underpants – shorts/ underpants

pavement – sidewalk

petrol – gas/gasoline

post – mail

postman mailman/ – mail carrier

purse pocketbook/ – coin-purse

pram – baby-carriage

pub – bar

puncture/ flat tire – flat

return ticket – round – trip ticket

reverse charges – collect call

ring up – call up

rise (in salary) – raise

rubber – eraser

shop – store

silencer (car) – muffler

single (ticket) – one way ticket

sweets – candy

tap – faucet/ tap

tea-towel – dish-towel

tin – can

toilet (public) – restroom

torch – flashlight

underground – subway

Основные различия, встречающиеся в британской и американской орфографии, можно сформулировать в следующих правилах. Обратите внимание, какая версия орфографии, британская или американская, установлена в вашей сервисной программе «Проверка орфографии»=Spell Check.

1. В глаголах и их производных, оканчивающихся на «– ise» или «– ize», британцы пишут «– ise», а американцы «– ize»: organise – organize, symbolise – symbolize.

2. Глаголы, оканчивающиеся на одно «l». Все производные от этих глаголов с окончаниями «– ing», «– ed», « -er» в британском английском пишутся с удвоенным «l», в американском с одним «l»:

travelled – traveled.

3. Некоторые слова-исключения, напротив, в британском английском пишутся с одним «l», а в американском с двумя «l»: enrol– enroll.

4. Все слова с буквосочетанием «-our» в британском английском теряют букву «u» в американском: colour – color.

5. Много английских слов французского происхождения с окончанием на « -re» в американском английском меняют окончание на « -er»: centre – center. Исключением из этого правила являются слова acre, massacre, в которых сохранилось британское окончание для подчеркивания сильного « -c».

6. Некоторые британские слова французского происхождения упрощены донельзя: catalogue – catalog, cheque – check.

Золотое правило:

Самый простой путь разобраться с правилами и исключениями – это выучить их наизусть!

GB – USA

cancel/ cancelled – cancel/ canceled

catalogue – catalog

centre – center

cheque – check

colour – color

defence – defense

enrol (v) – enroll (v)

enrolment (n) – enrollment (n)

equal/ equalled – equal/ equaled

favourite – favorite

humour – humor

labour – labor

metre – meter

practise (v) – practice (v)

programme – program

theatre – theater

travel/ travelled – travel/ traveled

В случае личных писем нет никаких ограничений на тему, тон и стиль письма. Это Ваше личное дело, что, кому, как и с какой целью Вы пишете. Это положение касается как обращения-подписи, так и темы письма. Так что пользуйтесь полной свободой в рамках приличий!

Варианты обращения

Dear John and dear Mary

Dear Mr Johns and Mrs Johns

My dear Mary John, dear Mary, darling Mary, my dearest

Начальные фразы письма

I’m writing to (thank/ tell/ ask/ congratulate/ apologize/ etc.)

I’m writing to thank you very much for the nice post card…

I’m writing to tell you that we are going to be in Providence during Christmas time…

I’m writing to ask you if you would come to dinner/lunch one day soon: would Monday, 7.07. 2000 suit you?

Варианты подписи

Пример 1. Поздравление с юбилеем свадьбы.

Dear Mary and dear Paul

Please accept our warmest congratulation on your wedding anniversary!

It seems like only yesterday that you two walked down the aisle together.

You are such a loving couple. We don’t have to ask you what your secret is, though. It is obvious in the concern and consideration you show for each other’s feelings. It’s a delight to be your friends.

Best wishes for many more years of such happiness!

All our love,

Пример 2. Письмо к подарку на День рождения.

Dear Diana,

Many happy returns of this day!

I hope you will have a wonderful birthday and many happy years to follow.

I’m very enclosing a small birthday gift, which I hope you will like. I was not at all sure which colour (Brit./ color– Am.) would you prefer, so I hope that I have been lucky in my choice!

With my warmest regards and best wishes for today and all the day to follow,

Yours sincerely,

Пример 3. Приглашение на выходные.

Dear Mrs Smith,

It would be so nice if you could join us on August 19. We are asking a few friends to spend this weekend with us and should be so happy if you could come too. I do hope you will be free then.

With kind regards,

Sincerely yours,

Пример 4. Приглашение на ужин.

Dear Mrs Smith and M. Smith

We are inviting a few friends to dine with us on Sunday, April 1, and should be so pleased if you could join us. Would 18.30 suit you? Could we ask you, please, to send us a card to let us know what suits you best.

Yours ever,

Пример 5. Приглашение на ужин.

Dear Mr Volta

Please accept our invitation for dinner, being held at the Golden Hall of the Park Plaza Center on January 31 at 19.30. Your presence would be greatly appreciated.

Please let us know if you will be able to attend.

Yours truly,

Пример 6. Американский стиль приглашений по различным поводам.

Dear family and dear friends:

We would like to invite you to help us celebrate the 25-th wedding anniversary of Nicole and Dick !!!!!!

You are invited to celebrate the retirement of Mr. Johnson!!!!!!

When: date and time.

Where: exact address with a path to arrive.

Иногда можно найти информацию об устроителях данного банкета в строке

Given by:

Пример 7. Благодарность за приглашение, положительный ответ.

Dear Mrs. Stewart

Thank you so much for your kind invitation to dinner on Thursday. I should like very much to come and look forward to seeing you and your husband again then.

Yours sincerely,

Пример 8. Отказ от приглашения.

Dear Mr Taker

Thank you very much for your kind invitation to dinner on January 31.

I am sorry to inform you that I will have to decline your invitation due to prior engagement. Hopefully, next time I will be able to attend. Thank you very much for thinking of me.

Very truly yours,

Пример 9. Отказ от приглашения.

Dear Loren

Thank you very much for your invitation to Betsy’s Birthday party on Wednesday. Unfortunately I shall not be able to come, since I have a business trip from Monday till Thursday. But I do hope I may have the pleasure of meeting both Betsy and her parents the week ahead.

Yours,

Пример 10. Извинение по поводу пропущенной встречи.

Dear Jessica,

There is utterly no excuse for my not meeting with you on November 2 or at least not getting word to you. I had written the time and date down in my appointment book, but somehow I got the day mixed up.

Please, forgive me. I am anxious to see you and will call to reschedule a new time. I will not disappoint you this time.

Sincerely,

Пример 11. Доверенность на проживание в доме/квартире.

To whom it may concern

I do hereby authorize Mr. Oleg Pushkov to stay in my home, from 1.01.2004 to 31.12.2004. During the time of the stay Mr. Oleg Pushkov is liable for any damages done to the home or any possessions within it.

I HAVE READ THE ABOVE AND AGREE TO ALL THE TERMS.

Подпись

Alex Kassini,

Princeton, 24.12.2003.

Пример 12. Письмо в больницу, предложение помощи.

Dear, dear Peter

I’m very sorry to hear that you are in the hospital. I hope you are not uncomfortable and that the hospital staff is pleasant. Please, Peter, don’t hesitate to let me know if there is anything I can do for you. I would be grateful to be of any assistance during this time.