BEP97 Talking about the Economy

In this Business English Podcast lesson, we’ll be studying some phrases and vocabulary that you can use to discuss the economy and economic issues, including voicing and reassuring¹ concerns.

我们谨就最近在四川发生的地震向中国听众表达我们的同情和支持，并希望灾区人们能尽快从地震中恢复过来。

No deal gets made, no contract gets signed, no business gets done just between two people or two companies. Everything occurs against the background of networks of relationships on the local, regional, and global scales. These relationships of price and production form what’s called “the economy.” People who study the economy – economists² – like to point out, for example, that the price of soybeans in Brazil can affect the price of meat in China. It’s no wonder, then, that a favorite activity of business people everywhere is talking about the economy. Only by understanding the economic environment in which we do business can we operate effectively in it.

The dialog today takes place at Kendal Marcus, a global retailer³ of up market clothing and accessories. A retailer sells goods to the end customer; accessories are things like jewelry⁴ and belts which go along with or “accessorize” clothing. During a trip to Shanghai, Martin, a VP at Kendal’s, is visiting Tony Wu, country manager for China.

Listening Questions:

1) Why has Martin come to China?
2) Is Tony optimistic about the economic outlook, that is the future, in China?
3) What kind of concerns does Martin have?
4) How does Tony reassure⁵ him?

1 reassuring   

a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的

参考例句：

• He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. 他轻拍了一下她的肩膀让她放心。
• With a reassuring pat on her arm, he left. 他鼓励地拍了拍她的手臂就离开了。

2 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 retailer   

n.零售商(人)

参考例句：

• What are the retailer requirements?零售商会有哪些要求呢？
• The retailer has assembled a team in Shanghai to examine the question.这家零售商在上海组建了一支团队研究这个问题。

4 jewelry   

n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝

参考例句：

• The burglars walked off with all my jewelry.夜盗偷走了我的全部珠宝。
• Jewelry and lace are mostly feminine belongings.珠宝和花边多数是女性用品。

5 reassure   

v.使放心，使消除疑虑

参考例句：

• This seemed to reassure him and he continued more confidently.这似乎使他放心一点，于是他更有信心地继续说了下去。
• The airline tried to reassure the customers that the planes were safe.航空公司尽力让乘客相信飞机是安全的。