1、Invitation culture: western and Chinese Word order in a subordinate clauseRequirements:After learning this unit, students should grasp:1. Read and understand the meaning of invitation cards and letters2. How to write invitation cards and letters and remember the patterns of invitation cards and lett
2、ers3. How to invite people to party or dinner, and how to accept and decline invitations4. The customs of inviting people in different countries5. Important words, phrases and language points in the passageIn our daily life, we need to invite others to dinner or take part in all kinds of parties, so
3、 we should know about western custom about invitation. Foreign custom is much stricter than Chinese custom in the matter of replying to invitations. When you receive an invitation you should answer is immediately, saying definitely whether you are able to accept it or not.If the invitation is given
4、by word of mouth, in conversation or at a chance meeting, you should answer at once whether you can come or not. If you cannot give an answer at that time, you may say “May I let you know this evening” or some such words. By studying this unit, we will know about how to invite the others, how to acc
5、ept or decline the invitation, and how to write invitation cards/letters.Section I Talking Face to Face1. Imitating Mini-Talks2. Acting out the Tasks3. Studying Email Information on the Internet4. Following Sample Dialogues5. Putting Language to UseSection II Being All Ears1. Learning Sentences for
6、Workplace Communication2. Handling a Dialogue3. Understanding a Short Speech / TalkSection III Trying your Hand 1. Practicing Applied Writing2. Writing Sentences and Reviewing Grammar Section IV Maintaining a Sharp Eye Passage 1 : Information Related to the Reading PassageWhether it is to a wedding,
7、 a dinner party, shower or gala event, an invitation comes with some important obligations. Heres a quick guide to keep you on the guest list.1. R.S.V.P From the French “Rpondez, sil vous plait”, it means “Please reply.” This little code has been around for a long time and its definitely telling you
8、 that your hosts want to know if you are attending. Reply promptly, within a day or two of receiving an invitation.2. How do I respond? Reply in the manner indicated on the invitation. R.S.V.P and no response card: a handwritten response to the host at the return address on the envelope. Response Ca
9、rd: fill in and reply by the date indicated and return in the enclosed envelope.R.S.V.P with phone number: telephone and make sure to speak in person answering machines can be unreliable. R.S.V.P with e-mail: you may accept or decline electronically. Regrets only: reply only if you cannot attend. If
10、 your host doesnt hear from you, he is expecting you! No reply requested? Unusual, but it is always polite to let someone know your intentions. A phone call would be sufficient.3. Is that your final answer? Changing a “yes” to a “no” is only acceptable on account of: illness or injury, a death in th
11、e family or an unavoidable professional or business conflict. Call your hosts immediately. Canceling because you have a “better” offer is a surefire way to get dropped from ALL the guest lists. Being a “no show” is unacceptable. Changing a “no” to a “yes” is OK only if it will not upset the hosts ar
12、rangements.4. “May I bring ?” Dont even ask! An invitation is extended to the people the hosts want to invite and no one else. a date. Some invitations indicate that you may invite a guest or date （Mr. John Evans and Guest） and when you reply, you should indicate whether you are bringing someone, an
13、d convey their name. my children. If they were invited, the invitation would have said so. my houseguest. Its best to decline the invitation, stating the reason. This gives your host the option to extend the invitation to your guests, or not.5. Say “Thank You.” Make sure to thank your hosts before y
14、ou leave, and then again by phone or note the next day. Text Business InvitationA case of mistaken identity!Dont worry, weve been assured that this mystery will besolved in time for ourHoliday Office PartyWere leaving the investigation to those who do it best.Lets get away from all those computers,
15、papers and mess and cometo our office party in your best suit or dress.Come join us and Toast the SeasonThursday, December 9th 2010 5:00 P.M.The Columbia House Penthouse Floor 485 Jefferson PlazaLeonard, Barley, Travis, Bailey and SmithRegrets only to Dianne 248-8522It would be a crime to miss our p
16、arty or not be on time485 Jefferson PlazaBusiness invitations can be informal or formal. Although invitations are usually sent through the mail, informal invitations such as e-mail and phone invitations are becoming more acceptable. Invitation Timing For most formal occasions, its best to invite gue
17、sts three or four weeks in advance. If you choose to invite your guests by phone, remind them again in writing two weeks before the gathering. Here are a few guidelines for your information: Six to eight months before an important seminar to which out-of-town executives are invited. Four weeks befor
18、e an evening reception. Two to four weeks before a cocktail party.Invitation Format Formal business invitations are most commonly printed on white or off-white high-quality paper. A company can use any color of paper it desires, as long as it upholds and promotes the companys image. With preprinted
19、invitations, you simply fill in the blanks to tell what, where, and when the party will be and who is giving it. Its also acceptable to include an RSVP notation and your phone number or address on the invitation for more accurate planning.Responding to an Invitation Either use the address or phone n
20、umber printed in the lower left corner of the invitation or return the RSVP card sent with the invitation. If a “Please reply by” a given date is included in the invitation, be polite enough to reply by that date. If the words “Regrets only” are printed in the lower left corner of the invitation, yo
21、u need only to inform the host if you will not be able to attend. If your host does not hear from you, you are expected to attend. Never ask to bring a guest unless the invitation states “Mr. Louis Winthorp and Guest.” Most likely, the host will have only enough food and drinks for the number of peo
22、ple he invites. Showing up with an uninvited friend could turn out to be an embarrassing situation for everyone. Language Points1 Explanation of Difficult Sentences1. （Para. 1） Although invitations are usually sent through the mail, informal invitations such as e-mails and phone invitations are beco
23、ming more acceptable. Analysis: such as means “of the same kind, like” and should be followed by nouns or noun phrases.Translation: 虽然邀请函通常通过信函方式发出，但目前像电子邮件、电话邀请 等非正式邀请越来越被普遍使用。Example: Our discussions were all about issues such as education and climate change. 2. （Para. 4） Its also acceptable to in
24、clude an RSVP notation and your phone number or address on the invitation for more accurate planning.Analysis: Its also acceptable to do means “Its also good enough to be received to do ” 如果为了使计划更加周密，也可以在邀请函中加上请回复的字样，以及电话号码或联系地址。3. （Para. 5） If a “Please reply by” a given date is included in the inv
25、itation, be polite enough to reply by that date. Analysis: If is a conditional clause followed by an imperative sentence 如果邀请函中包括“请于某日之前回复”的字样，则需要在规定日期前回复。 If you choose to invite your guests by phone, remind them again in writing two weeks before the gathering. Its acceptable to play tricks on your
26、 friends on April 1st.4. （Para. 6） Never ask to bring a guest unless the invitation states “Mr. Louis Winthorp and Guest.” Never unless is “double negative”, which means “You can bring a guest if the invitation states ” 如若邀请函上没有说明“邀请某某先生和朋友”，不要向邀请方要求带同伴。 Some people are never happy unless they are i
27、n the limelight showing off.2 Important Words1. in advance before in time 提前e.g. Can I sign up for this course in advance?Quality Buildings usually hire its temporary workers well in advance as the need arises.2. seminarn. a small class of usually advanced students meeting to study some subject with
28、 a teacher 讨论会，研讨班 e.g. He Im very sorry about not setting the seminar on time. There is a computer network seminar tomorrow afternoon.3. uphold v. to support, prevent from being weakened or taken away 支持，赞成 I want to love as a kind of faith to uphold. All staff uphold integrity-based quality first
29、principle.4. image n. the opinion people have of a person, organization, product etc. 形象 The hotel industry is working hard on improving its image. The party has to project the right image.5. given a. fixed for a purpose and stated as such 给定的，特定的 The work must be done within the given time. At any
30、given time, the status of technical progress is relatively inflexible.6. likely ad. probably 可能 Id very likely have done the same thing in your situation. As likely as not （very probably）, the meeting will take place in the village pub.Passage 2 : Information Related to the Reading Passage This is an informal invitation letter between friends. The tone of this letter is casual. The language is not so formal. This kind of informal invitation letter is often writ
