069_Getting Back to the Topic

069_Getting Back to the Topic

If we get a phone call or other interruption during a conversation, how should we return to the conversation?

Kevin:

Hello and welcome to Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting Episode 69. My name is Kevin Jones. In this business edition of the podcast we will look at phrases for getting back to the topic. That is, phrases which are used when we want to return to a conversation which was interrupted.
FIrst let’s listen to this conversation between two managers discussing a shipping schedule.FIrst let’s listen to this conversation between two managers discussing a shipping schedule.

Manager 1:

It seems to me that the most important thing is to make sure that the shipment arrives on schedule at the Port of Dubai. If we can get a guarantee that… Please excuse me, but I should take this call.

Manager 2:

Certainly.

Manager 1:

Thanks. Carlo! I hope you have some good news for me. Uh huh… Really! that’s great. Right. Good We will send you the contracts this afternoon by express courier. Give me a call when they’ve arrived. OK. Good work Carlo. We’ll see you next Tuesday at the morning meeting. Good bye. Excuse me… now where was I?

Manager 2:

You were talking about a guarantee.

Manager 1:

Ah yes. If we can get a guarantee from Galaxy Shipping stating that our shipment will be in Dubai by the 20th of January, then….

Kevin:

Did you notice how the first manager politely interrupted their conversation? He said…

Manager 1:

Please excuse me, but I should take this call.

Kevin:

First he says “excuse me” and then “I should take this call” which means, “I should answer this call because it is important”. After his call he says…

Manager 1:

Excuse me… now where was I ?

Kevin:

The first manager could also have said. …

Manager:

Now, where were we?

Kevin:

He uses these phrases because for a moment he can not remember what he was saying. The second manager was helpful because he said…

Manager 2:

You were talking about a guarantee.

Kevin:

Or, if he does remember what he was saying he could use the phrase, “get back to something” meaning to return to the topic…,

Manager 1:

Now, to get back to the shipping schedule for the Port of Dubai. If we can guarantee that Galaxy Shipping will have the shipment in Dubai on the 15th of …

Kevin:

Perhaps the other person was speaking when the conversation was interrupted. Listen to this conversation.

Manager 2:

If the shipment were to go to a different port other than …

Manager 1:

Please excuse me, but I should take this call.

Manager 2: Certainly.

Manager 1:

Yes Carlo. Yes that’s OK. Send me the contract changes by e-mail as soon as you can. Talk to you soon. I’m sorry. You were saying?

Manager 2:

If the shipment were to go to a different port other than Dubai perhaps we could avoid these delays.

Kevin:

In this conversation, the first manager said… You were saying? …

Kevin:

He could have also said…

Manager 1:

I’m sorry. Please go ahead.

Kevin:

Or he could say…

Manager 1:

I’m sorry. Please continue.

Kevin:

These are the basic phrases for getting back to the topic of a conversation. Let’s review the phrases.
Now, where was I?

You were talking about . . .
You were talking about a guarantee.

Where were we?

What were you saying?

Please go ahead.

Please continue.

To get back to .
To get back to the shipping schedule ..

That’s all the time we have for this podcast. You can find a transcript for this podcast and listen to past episodes at www.nichibei.ac.jp . And be sure to check out the classes for the next term at Nichibei. We have classes in business, conversation, TOEIC, art and history and others. Find out why Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin is a great place to build you future. Join us again for podcast 70 when we will learn how to give an update on a business project.

This podcast is a production of Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin.